[{"_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",6522316,"mediaKeyId","5071289-7b19f7dd2d0cac9d532ecec7a8d30d58","parentId",5071289,"title","At-a-glance: key actions taken by Highlands County School Board","audioSeconds",4686,"startMs",2174000,"endMs",6860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5071289-7b19f7dd2d0cac9d532ecec7a8d30d58&start=2174&end=6860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5071289-7b19f7dd2d0cac9d532ecec7a8d30d58/thumbnail_2174000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6522316/Florida/At-a-glance-key-actions-taken-by-Highlands-County-School-Board","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522316-53b3e264dc63beb414ed726b2f6020eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775664739&Signature=jj-Om-2nB38RRhdOFZgZUIx1ezxv2yc7zr53aG~f8QminPI5hoXGqqVI2PcWm3WYduL6Ko2JuY~ecyFbqRU0k7sUEJdTh2MPV-g4JBTzZdmfJ4ihgNNgb2YZnN5yGMZqED3G7n2L7rEZds06W2eF6~9fe8JjiHMrimr7LB8Ibp8inwWz0VDzL4CH-ZCTShKz13HW723Ck4a2Z~GjW44eTRm4wahXPFOTOCBLulB~ImzyTA~G1pkGlDxTeX9xLuWKXdLIvRmxoGvSK4uOXehiWt35rsTZEDlopttCR17v2gwCQAI9ldTgXCeu1dITaDpoMxNCDT8LgSlQ5liZ-auMRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Highlands County School Board, FL","date","2025-06-24T23:31:58.35Z","article","The Highlands County School Board approved several routine and substantive items during the meeting, including personnel actions, contract awards and a property purchase. The following is a concise summary of the actions the board voted on during the meeting and their recorded outcomes.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda adoption (as revised): Approved (motion and second recorded; no public comment).

- Superintendent recommendation for personnel (except MIS reappointment roster): Approved (motioned and seconded; board discussion noted work in progress; roll call vote recorded in minutes).

- Superintendent recommendation: Reappointment roster for MIS department (Mrs. Howerton absent for that item; one member abstained from voting on a roster item due to conflict of interest and filed Form 8B): Approved (motion carried; abstention noted on record).

- Expulsions (Item 9b): Approved (motion and second recorded; no public comment).

- Resolution 24‑25‑13 — purchase of 710 West Winthrop Street, Avon Park (Item 9c): Approved. Motion to authorize closing on the contract was made and seconded; board directed staff to investigate options to separate and sell the house portion of the parcel after closing.

- Appointment of FSBA (Florida School Boards Association) advocacy representative for 2025–26 (Item 9d): Approved (motion and second recorded).

- Approval of new position: Coordinator of Safety and Security and AVID (Item 9e): Approved with amended minimum qualifications requiring three years’ experience in school‑based leadership or an area related to safety and security (board amended and approved the job description prior to posting).

- Job description modifications for teaching / nursing and other certification flexibility (Item 13a/ related): Approved (motion and second recorded; aimed at providing flexibility for specialized hires such as nurses and culinary instructors).

- Administrator signature authorization (Item 13a revised): Approved as revised (required by state auditor; motion and second recorded).

- Contract award: Internal funds audit services to Carr, Riggs & Ingram (SBHC2425-34) (Item 13b): Approved (staff reported only one qualified bid received; motion and second recorded).

- Contract award: Exterior painting for Lake Country Elementary to P. Gravely & Sons Painting Inc. (SBHC2425-36) (Item 13c): Approved (motion and second recorded; staff reported positive references).

- Several other consent and routine items were approved under the consent agenda; board recorded motions and seconds on the consent items.

The meeting packet and official minutes will include the full roll‑call record and more detailed documentation of motions, supporting materials, and procurement documents for each awarded contract.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6/24/25 Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved multiple routine and substantive items including personnel recommendations, expulsions, a property purchase for Avon Elementary, the new coordinator of safety and security position (with amended minimum qualifications), several procurement contracts and other administrative items.","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},6522321,"Public commenter urges Highlands County schools to teach creationism alongside evolution",265,801000,1066000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5071289-7b19f7dd2d0cac9d532ecec7a8d30d58&start=801&end=1066","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5071289-7b19f7dd2d0cac9d532ecec7a8d30d58/thumbnail_801000.jpg","/articles/6522321/Florida/Public-commenter-urges-Highlands-County-schools-to-teach-creationism-alongside-evolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522321-276353be834253ecbaa7069f8e3ebc20/orig.mp4?Expires=1775664739&Signature=B6zLLR~4dyV7oINw2XeWP1yLZtj5cAebeg3mtCjUZI1S5KNxU3s71uauWYPPv5dXWe7KydzSwC2ZNCNDclLY4JC5gqjgOML6j-XI9hMUIctiqR9OvMjo~hO8n8KSQCwPUYxDvnnGzfGRPNvPMGcdj-N0eKHVtef8J-2H9cQEnR1C0MxVSE5u9zuGJiYrnONl6i293AD~-82UI7jLgojlpcUgj3bkpJswn04rH5YD-N7APvjuVHQDi6RH6MRkZ81~yoMHtEzIp80GNpM03gMglvpD9QoMmdj7O1rqaVDnc86-9huZV~TnbDLixe64LDk5o-fp0Kwqyt6NSjts0FBqQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Highlands County resident used the public‑comment period to urge the school board to allow the teaching of creation alongside evolution.

The speaker identified himself as Larry Oldfield and said he is a Highlands County property owner and taxpayer. In a roughly 10‑minute presentation he contrasted a “democratic republic” with an “oligarchy,” described his personal objections to evolutionary theory as a sole explanation for origins, and argued that creationist accounts should be presented alongside evolutionary hypotheses in public‑school science classrooms. He said DNA and fossil evidence can be interpreted by creation researchers and asserted that parents who endorse creation should see their views represented in classroom instruction.

Oldfield referenced a 2008 Florida State Board of Education decision that he said “explicitly require[s] the teaching of evolution in public schools” (meeting transcript citation for the speaker’s statement: \"On 02/19/2008, the Florida State Board of Education adopted a science standard that explicitly require the teaching of evolution in public schools\"). He also framed the choice of instructional emphasis as a First Amendment and representation issue for taxpayers.

The board did not take action on Oldfield’s comments; they were delivered during the public‑comment portion of the meeting.","At the public‑comment portion of the Highlands County School Board meeting, a resident argued for the inclusion of creationist perspectives in district science instruction and asserted creation offers better explanations for DNA and fossils.",{"_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},6522326,"Board approves new coordinator of safety and security position with amended minimum qualifications",1154,5130000,6284000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5071289-7b19f7dd2d0cac9d532ecec7a8d30d58&start=5130&end=6284","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5071289-7b19f7dd2d0cac9d532ecec7a8d30d58/thumbnail_5130000.jpg","/articles/6522326/Florida/Board-approves-new-coordinator-of-safety-and-security-position-with-amended-minimum-qualifications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522326-851aa940d94dec65c77664a5d131215d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775664739&Signature=ovq2UGY16wJHZGGx1QzvXeYbM8CY-imhOJPTzAIIi90I3AurPa3-3XkUhqQxhhV5vhswNynJm0uWYj2G9~LnBg3A1f4agA5qrPpIdlUUEb7zcTCzQcr7AJCqXYaguN0133ZZJjo~CUpRFtTIOVlqI84-2rfRNZdzligf-JxnZ~9-4hzqBMaYxgGIXv~PfxpOwvvGCs6iYuDRIh22BMN~RnSOC-dWQ14y4y8L09xaXd5IqGGlD0PRXVLcsntSL1TLgxJNz3WPrdwZZSq1XJtlClqaNoRI~rGZzi0MsZ4Zu1ZVwaUrrAWI1ik6b1YIzsR3GXCZ2M~LGMZee0FrHVv6EQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Highlands County School Board approved a new job description for a coordinator of safety and security and AVID, and amended the position’s minimum qualifications to require three years’ experience in school‑based leadership or in an area related to safety and security.

Board members engaged in a detailed discussion about the necessary baseline qualifications for the role. Some members urged a more rigorous minimum because the position carries responsibility for safety protocols, referrals and related compliance work; others cautioned that overly narrow minimums can unduly restrict the candidate pool.

Kim Irvin, principal at Sebring High School, argued for flexible language that would still allow candidates with strong safety or law‑enforcement backgrounds to qualify: “If you said just school based administrator, you’re narrowing it,” she said, arguing in favor of the “related area” formulation.

After discussion, Mr. Whitten removed an initial motion and the board adopted a clarified motion to approve the job description with a change to the minimum qualifications. The board’s revised minimum reads: three years’ experience in school‑based leadership or in an area related to safety and security. Counsel and staff will finalize the published job posting and the superintendent will bring the vacancy forward for posting and recruitment under the approved minimums.

Board members said they want to avoid lowering long‑term standards while also preserving flexibility to attract candidates with relevant safety experience rather than only traditional school administration backgrounds.","After debate over required experience, the board approved a coordinator of safety and security and AVID job description and amended minimum qualifications to require three years experience in school-based leadership or an area related to safety and security.",{"_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},6522331,"School board authorizes purchase of Avon Elementary adjacent property for parking; board asks staff to seek ways to sell house",2336,2524000,4860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5071289-7b19f7dd2d0cac9d532ecec7a8d30d58&start=2524&end=4860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5071289-7b19f7dd2d0cac9d532ecec7a8d30d58/thumbnail_2524000.jpg","/articles/6522331/Florida/School-board-authorizes-purchase-of-Avon-Elementary-adjacent-property-for-parking-board-asks-staff-to-seek-ways-to-sell-house","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522331-1bcee88da2f5e9ed6ba76795419ef8c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775664739&Signature=ebQsCi2cPSYmpiUCZVOZDnHPR6f~C0deU0soSMIQYrR4T6kbNlrj7XrnL7kbLHRbuw-gphEjPYjZr5n1OvIuEOU6D-6YwZXJGE65z1AuKHlBgbaapIou7MlFSvPxKwXc4tAY8oJInh~DXjYPJrKY9FW2bYEonMmFXQOEgELx1s9vYadPpRli2nsdPOnYJy1FXm5TJCB52lotDo7w42F6fae6vvC5DCA01sFAFExAbTlaR4ux52mtbLObFe3ozDpMyOKRoFDMJEpouIyzdibRHfjPFNVMsZS639Zix5DDQLwATWPmQ541PW7bOyhfVWLKnc8U1RNnc~-N7EMnEVaq4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Highlands County School Board voted to authorize closing on the purchase of 710 West Winthrop Street in Avon Park — a parcel that includes a house and two vacant lots that have long been used by Avon Elementary families for parking.

The board’s motion to “approve and authorize the closing to purchase the real property at 710 West Winthrop Street, Avon Park, Highlands County, Florida” was made by Dr. Durrance and seconded by Mr. Whiddon. The purchase price in the current contract is $199,900; board staff reported the independent appraisal that was required by law returned a value of $204,000.

Two public speakers urged the board to buy the property to preserve convenient, on‑campus parking for parents and families. Nikki (Nicki) Cruz, who identified herself as a concerned Avon Park Elementary parent, told the board that making the lot official would improve safety and make parent involvement events more feasible for families.

Ashley Culverhouse, assistant principal at Avon Elementary, presented school data and usage patterns to justify the purchase. She told the board that the school typically hosts large events with “approximately 200 families attending” and that the campus currently has roughly 18 visitor parking spaces, creating a recurring need for the adjacent lots. Culverhouse said the parcel’s two vacant lots have been used “at a minimum of 18 times” for larger events and that relying on a more distant municipal field would require a half‑mile round trip and could present safety and access concerns for families and students with mobility needs.

Board members discussed the cost and whether the district should retain the house that sits on the parcel. Several board members said they supported the purchase to preserve parent access but urged staff to pursue a plan to ‘‘offload’’ or sell the house portion after closing so the district would be left primarily holding the two vacant lots for parking. Counsel explained that separating the lots from the house would require title work and standard surplus‑property disposal steps if the district chose to sell any portion after purchase; any sale would follow state procedures and DOE notification requirements.

Board materials state the contract includes the house plus two vacant lots totaling nearly an acre; comparable sales cited in the meeting ranged from about $130,000 to $250,000. Staff told the board the purchase would be funded from capital funds already set aside in the district budget for this purpose.

The board authorized the closing; board members directed the superintendent and staff to explore options to separate and sell the house or otherwise recoup a portion of the purchase price while retaining the vacant lots for school use.","The Highlands County School Board approved a resolution authorizing closing on 710 West Winthrop Street in Avon Park to secure two vacant lots used for school parking. Board and community speakers emphasized student safety and parent access; the board asked staff to explore selling the house on the parcel to recoup costs.",{"_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},6522335,"Highlands County lays out plan to boost teacher recruitment and retention",759,1241000,2000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5071289-7b19f7dd2d0cac9d532ecec7a8d30d58&start=1241&end=2000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5071289-7b19f7dd2d0cac9d532ecec7a8d30d58/thumbnail_1241000.jpg","/articles/6522335/Florida/Highlands-County-lays-out-plan-to-boost-teacher-recruitment-and-retention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522335-58ef92d7f12ef861226a523c44b72c98/orig.mp4?Expires=1775664739&Signature=CH5ROQng9N2WLlOgGfDlwKigtbK0N5aQRL7LFp9Z2Mwf3IjtSLwh0IM1zZ0WHnAFLZq-na21SKWtOEsfbIAGtqzj8Vt64MJ3uqIwxCvUP8ocLUR7RP~8hs1E27FmxGq9b8DM01Q6G8WzL280wPEXsBQaO6Xp7duiWeiVoHpSmcH5ol1iOMByJiAg465MMIPf32Goy1i3UYQavq01nXtII4jyamtwrz~97YbOZnbReGx-PXFxCnycnwqBQw40mzlKStgBdv7cGsOdbVJ3QGastaUG4r28EknTTbcWF2vuWk~gxL0rf2li-g2is5TJS9DRRvujJh8vUZlYBZl7DzE-HA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carla Ball, director of human resources for Highlands County Schools, told the school board that the district is working to recruit, build and retain “a high quality staff” and outlined targets and programs aimed at strengthening staffing across the district.

Ball said the district’s target is to increase the percentage of positions filled with in-field certified teachers from 81% in 2022–23 to 90% by the 2026–27 school year. She reported that the district rose from 81% (2022–23) to 82% (2023–24) and finished the 2024–25 school year at 89% in-field certified teachers. At the end of the 2024–25 year the district reported 32 long-term substitute positions and, as of June 24, 25 instructional vacancies (down from 77 at the same time last year).

Ball described several recruiting and retention strategies: participating in in-state and out-of-state recruiting fairs, college internship partnerships (including with South Florida State College), the district’s grow-your-own programs and a partnership with TPG Cultural Exchange that currently supplies 34 teachers. She also described an “aspiring leaders” program run with the Heartland Education Consortium that has graduated 44 participants over three years to build administrative capacity.

To shore up retention, Ball said the district offers tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing required master’s degrees (notably school guidance counselors), certification-exam supports including targeted tutoring and some DOE waivers of certain examinations, years-of-service recognition, and training tailored to teachers within their first five years. She said the district’s base teacher salary starts at $50,000.

Ball noted turnover figures: the district recorded 37 resignations for 2024–25, 16 of which were teachers within their first five years. She said the district seeks to raise year‑to‑year retention of non‑retiring effective teachers from 89% (end of 2021–22) to 94% by 2026–27 and to raise retention of non‑retiring effective leaders from 93% to 98% in the same period.

Ball added operational details: the district reported 267 active substitutes, 122 processed last year and 17 currently processed and ready for the coming year, with another 35 candidates in the pipeline. She said district staff are planning recruiting events for substitutes in July.

Board members asked clarifying questions about vacancy counts and whether long‑term substitutes were included; Ball answered that long‑term subs would be opened on July 1 and were not included in the current 25 vacancies total. The presentation closed with applause from board members and district staff.

The board did not take formal action during this presentation; Ball’s report was delivered as part of the superintendent’s report.","District HR director presented Goal 3 strategies to raise in-field teacher certification and retain staff, citing progress to 89% in-field certified teachers, 25 current instructional vacancies and retention programs including tuition reimbursement and grow-your-own pathways.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

At-a-glance: key actions taken by Highlands County School Board

Public commenter urges Highlands County schools to teach creationism alongside evolution

Board approves new coordinator of safety and security position with amended minimum qualifications

School board authorizes purchase of Avon Elementary adjacent property for parking; board asks staff to seek ways to sell house

Highlands County lays out plan to boost teacher recruitment and retention