[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,75,86],{"_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",6146942,"mediaKeyId","5523515-c152aba195f0bc3625e6841b60d6cb41","parentId",5523515,"title","At a glance: Key votes, minutes and policy actions from the July 31 Alachua school board meeting","audioSeconds",2731,"startMs",1495000,"endMs",4226000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523515-c152aba195f0bc3625e6841b60d6cb41&start=1495&end=4226","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523515-c152aba195f0bc3625e6841b60d6cb41/thumbnail_1495000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6146942/Alachua/School-Districts/Florida/At-a-glance-Key-votes-minutes-and-policy-actions-from-the-July-31-Alachua-school-board-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146942-ffffc499f1c69f5a00b95f46a08df565/orig.mp4?Expires=1770848299&Signature=jtbM4~Kh2Vy8qBre9itRBV1Vy0CaIfL3f26MIXoYd9CJYozMabPzpx6mbyXqQZTKvr8rGOrmxmHNEs8E8Qcg7W62RU15dCZKehPLZrtjFPIG4MoQEUSJZ~cUf0ZNE-3yKzhh9U9noZ5qiaUDyD3ObAKwDTAmAUSE1i4ZillvXc0GigAvE1TVf3YSBIdXB8LO-PU~b~2rTtozgaAIIKHO2Os~wH6GxNZjpCMQUqHUGORvUVDglfnDjxo8gx6udPHyfN7e-v5TnApjjU7hi5QHkdEzPjw17~BRye8Fck-Ui8LJyLQqNwTC2GDx50~mVKyYVeZIOLl4Msw5WO-3ZbMT7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alachua County Public Schools, FL","date","2025-08-01T19:40:48.063Z","article","The Alachua County School Board took multiple formal actions during its July 31 meeting. Below are the principal recorded votes and procedural outcomes drawn from the meeting record.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of meeting minutes
- Minutes from the June 3, June 4 workshop, and the June 9 special meeting were moved and approved by voice vote; recorded as \"motion passes 5-0\" for the June 3 minutes.

- DOAH recommended order: employee termination
- Motion to enter the final order adopting the Department of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) recommended order dated May 19, 2025, terminating the employee effective July 31, 2025. Motion moved and seconded; recorded vote: motion passed (board voice vote recorded as passed; no dissent recorded in transcript excerpt).

- TRIM and tentative budget (Resolutions 26-01 and 26-02)
- Board corrected a printed date, then unanimously adopted Resolution 26-01 setting the tentative millage components and Resolution 26-02 adopting the tentative budget for FY 2025-26. Votes recorded as unanimous (4-0 in the TRIM roll-call sequence reported during the hearing).

- Consent agenda
- The board approved the consent agenda (items listed in the packet) by motion and roll call after public comment period; no itemized dissent recorded.

- Policies and job descriptions (action items)
- The board approved a package of policy updates (bylaw sections and many policy sections) in grouped votes after first and second readings; a number of policies were adopted for second reading and publication for a public hearing in September.
- The board adopted changes to the student code of conduct (policy 5500 series) and the student progression plan (with an added clarification on weighted class rank and grade point calculations) by board motion and voice vote.
- A proposed change to job descriptions for behavior-related positions (behavior resource roles with literacy alignment) generated debate; recorded vote on the job description amendment resulted in an apparent 2-2 split during the meeting and did not carry as presented.

- First readings and referrals
- Several policies were placed on first reading and scheduled for public hearing and second reading in September (examples included board officers, wireless communication/device policy, and related policy updates); staff were instructed to post required documents and notify the public ahead of the September hearing schedule.

What to expect next

- Final budget adoption is scheduled for the Sept. 9 final hearing after year-end close and receipt of final state and federal numbers.
- Policies shown as first reading will be returned for public hearing and second reading September 2 and September 16 (per staff scheduling discussed at the meeting).
- Staff follow-ups recorded in the meeting minutes include: posting TRIM notices; preparing final budget adjustments; and returning revised policy language where board members requested additional edits.

Meeting-level notes

- Several items were moved at the request of board members to be discussed separately (for example, revisions to the public participation policy were pulled for separate consideration and amendment during the meeting).
- The board handled a large public-comment session early in the agenda and adjusted speaker rules for current meeting logistics; policy language to formalize those rules was edited in real time and returned for further action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting 7-31-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Alachua County School Board approved meeting minutes, adopted TRIM resolutions and tentative budget, approved a staff-recommended DOAH employee termination, passed multiple policies and consent items, and held first readings on other policies; several items were tabled or received additional review.","taxTitle","Alachua, School Districts, Florida","taxId",14348,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":46,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146948,"Alachua school board adopts tentative 2025-26 budget, sets proposed millage rates",2041,2185000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523515-c152aba195f0bc3625e6841b60d6cb41&start=2185&end=4226","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523515-c152aba195f0bc3625e6841b60d6cb41/thumbnail_2185000.jpg","/articles/6146948/Alachua/School-Districts/Florida/Alachua-school-board-adopts-tentative-2025-26-budget-sets-proposed-millage-rates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146948-2406883428868c84abc2ea66707215b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770848299&Signature=fkRnOvNwsFxf3lbsExll5YvmtBCks483JchX73tObotZM-ztRLqoTYjdZs~4z-rP3pOf67A5FMKzz~LfjvLNkrd6UY2z0NcjS6oM6ZCwkaSaNJkoT06hEL4X8tMyD8ZAz1nVwsDroqtTXCJi~nXst906tPcImlhHdSu~QqxQ8hgA14w2KESzbx1-xvJiazcTpQ5V754UNCdK6HJq42-bahqcOwzqq1PN7X1u8v8ck2JNSwNFD4a0ymyMC75sEPsnZGaNPW-~e7oaMjbJ7OR-9K~4ziRDC1CjYhzHHam8bkpH4d-PDPwCavf7tbHa5W7Ss7S2xi2YL0g-Z8gNrAg6Ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alachua County School Board conducted its Truth in Millage (TRIM) hearing during the July 31 session and adopted resolutions setting tentative millage rates and the district's tentative budget for fiscal year 2025-26.

Judith Marte, a consultant serving as interim chief financial officer for the district, presented required TRIM disclosures and a first-pass tentative budget. Marte told the board the required local effort (a state-determined component of the millage tied to the Florida Education Finance Program) must be levied if the district wishes to participate in FEFP funding. She said the district's computed rollback and proposed rates were shown on presentation slides: the rollback rate would have been 5.8403 mills; the proposed total rate presented was 6.2501 mills, with details showing only the required local effort had increased in the state calculation.

Marte said the proposed budget projection of roughly $345.7 million (rounded on the table shown to the board) exceeds the currently approved budget largely because of roll-forward of categorical text-book money, an increased maintenance transfer linked to higher property insurance (the district is budgeting 16 months of property insurance in the near term), and planned capital spending. She told the board the state base student allocation rose by $41.62 per student but that overall district revenue is lower due to enrollment declines and the expansion of the Family Empowerment Scholarship program; she said more detailed enrollment and revenue numbers would be available at the final hearing on September 9.

Marte also reported that a federal decision earlier in the week meant held Title funds were being released and would be reflected in the final budget. She noted that the capital outlay millage (1.5 mills) would generate an estimated $41.38 million for capital projects and that charter schools receive their proportionate share of voter-approved operating millage.

After the presentation the board voted to adopt Resolution 26-01 determining millage levies and Resolution 26-02 adopting the tentative budget. The board also voted to amend a scrivener error in the resolution date before adopting the millage resolution. All motions passed unanimously on roll call.

At the end of the TRIM hearing the board recessed and resumed its regular business meeting. The superintendent and finance staff said they will present revised budget details and a more complete revenue picture on Sept. 9 at the final budget hearing when the district closes year-end activity and receives final state calculations.

What the board approved (high level):
- Required local effort and other components that make up a proposed total millage of approximately 6.2501 mills (presented as a proposed rate; formal adoption will occur at the final hearing).
- A tentative budget for 2025-26 that projects roughly $345.7 million in total funds before final adjustments.

Next steps: staff will close out year-end accounting, incorporate final state and federal allocations, and return to the board for a final public hearing and budget adoption on September 9, 2025.","The Alachua County School Board held its TRIM hearing July 31, heard the district CFO's budget presentation, and adopted resolutions setting the tentative 2025-26 millage and the tentative budget; board members were briefed on enrollment declines, one-time rollovers and a revised capital millage yield.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146953,"Alachua school board chair apologizes for Facebook post as public comment session erupts",6803,147000,6950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523515-c152aba195f0bc3625e6841b60d6cb41&start=147&end=6950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523515-c152aba195f0bc3625e6841b60d6cb41/thumbnail_147000.jpg","/articles/6146953/Alachua/School-Districts/Florida/Alachua-school-board-chair-apologizes-for-Facebook-post-as-public-comment-session-erupts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146953-c9490bc7788b47fda3698e58e988e212/orig.mp4?Expires=1770848299&Signature=GD0n8LBqZqufFB4m~Xfo88lMNmmmSUN5Mecq1f1UR5cnedxgceWnA8TwCz4FG1AWyAbZvMN~h0bUmjN2BHmoCN6aQNaZEYE8sTVU8mGyw0~-ixIq5vtWU8XHeI9dm403-ssWduS78GOHnzrTnxh6tTFKa1234Q1TPxAtUne9xRmjpOsU5vw1ssZVK1qXTzPJRSosTr8HobstZWukuR7r6wYKSfCPJCNIC-2efuqSU9SKLYOKd-B8oaQ4bsdErzSJvT77ty8uFV6jwsNqh7Lpf39sTWWb4GvlGqa1Wvo1ltw0g7bPSuxjTkO8KnTZhpkpEfp5tzfxB0nXS3oBEzzgjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Sarah Rockwell, chair of the Alachua County School Board, opened the July 31 meeting by apologizing for a social media post that drew widespread attention. “I made a highly inappropriate comment on my personal Facebook page that I deeply regret,” Rockwell said, adding that she posted an apology on her professional page and again at the meeting.

The apology and the board’s response dominated public comment and much of the early board discussion. Rockwell said she accepted responsibility and noted the personal cost: “Since this incident, my family and my friends and I have been subjected to death threats and harassment from people across the country and here. This includes the release of my home address.” She said she would not revisit the issue after the meeting and asked the board to return its focus to district work.

The dispute prompted sharply different reactions from colleagues and speakers. Board member Janine Plavic (identified in public remarks as appointed by the governor) said Rockwell’s comment had “sparked serious concern about the tone and judgment expected from public education leaders” and argued that the chair should step down. Several other board members, including Vice Chair (identified in discussion as) Thomas Vu and Dr. Leonetta McNeely, publicly accepted Rockwell’s apology. Dr. McNeely told the meeting Rockwell had “led us admirably” and said one mistake should not define a record of service.

More than 30 members of the public signed up to speak during the meeting’s extended general comment period. Public speakers included teachers, parents, retirees and union representatives. Many speakers backed Rockwell, citing her record of service and her apology; others criticized the post and urged higher standards for public officials. Carmen Ward, representing the educators’ union, told the board employees need to be prioritized amid budget and insurance debates and said Rockwell had advocated publicly for staff questions such as whether raises were budgeted.

Board members and staff repeatedly distinguished between the chair’s acknowledgement of wrongdoing and the threats and harassment leveled against her and her family. Several speakers, including former teachers and community leaders, urged the board to model accountability combined with restraint, while others called for Rockwell’s resignation or for outside action by the governor.

No board motion to remove or to force Rockwell from leadership was made during the meeting. The board shifted to other business after extended public comment and votes on unrelated agenda items.

The episode points to a larger tension the board faces between public scrutiny of officials’ personal social media posts and the board’s work on education policy. Several speakers urged the board to refocus on classroom issues, budget shortfalls and student services while acknowledging strong feelings from the community.

The meeting record shows extensive public input on the matter; board members asked staff to continue the district’s agenda, including budget and policy work, and to respond where appropriate to threats against staff or family members.

Looking ahead, the board did not adopt any formal disciplinary action regarding Rockwell at the July 31 session. The controversy and the volume of public comment make the matter likely to reappear at future meetings or in communications with the governor’s office and other state officials.","Board Chair Dr. Sarah Rockwell apologized at the July 31 Alachua County School Board meeting for a “highly inappropriate” Facebook post, drawing intense public reaction and split responses from fellow board members; no formal removal action was taken.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

At a glance: Key votes, minutes and policy actions from the July 31 Alachua school board meeting

Alachua school board adopts tentative 2025-26 budget, sets proposed millage rates

Alachua school board chair apologizes for Facebook post as public comment session erupts