Taylor County School Board members used their regular meeting to recognize students’ academic and athletic achievements, agree to move two May meetings because of event conflicts, and hear updates about school policy revisions and potential changes to career and technical education (CTE) funding.

The superintendent reported that four Taylor County High School seniors signed college athletic commitments — three football players, DJ McCoy, Ethan Gere and Nikhijo Freeman, and soccer player Talon Abijares — and the board honored Variah Donnell for winning the Brian Schulz STEM scholarship and accepting an award to study biological chemistry and medicine at the University of Chicago. The superintendent also named Amanda Glover as the bus barn employee of the month and Laverne Rhodes as food service worker of the month at Steinhatchee School; both employees receive a $50 gas-card certificate sponsored by Ware Oil.

Board members said the recognitions highlight a year of increased scholarship and post‑graduation opportunities for students. Superintendent remarks noted outreach such as FAFSA help sessions and scholarship information events; board members and administrators reported multiple recent student successes, including Odyssey of the Mind competition results, students qualifying for state track competition, and high-school commitments to four‑year and two‑year colleges.

During a discussion of the board calendar, members agreed informally to move the regular May 6 meeting to Monday, May 5, and to hold the May 20 meeting at 4:30 p.m. to avoid conflicts with school awards nights and graduations. Board members asked staff to distribute a master calendar of events and to email the finalized dates. The board’s consent items and routine motions — including adoption of the agenda and approval of the prior meeting minutes — were approved by voice vote earlier in the meeting.

Board Chair and members were also told that Neola, the vendor that performed the district’s policy review, has issued updates reflecting recent changes in state law. The superintendent said revised policy documents will be sent to board members for review and that members may request a workshop if they want a group walkthrough of the revisions before any formal action.

On budget and programing, Big Bend Technical College (BBTC) and district staff reported that federal and state proposals differ for CTE and dual‑enrollment funding. The superintendent said the House and Senate budget proposals diverge on how digital tools and some FTE calculations are handled and that the house proposal would reduce certain FTE allocations; however, the district expects Perkins and existing workforce allocations to continue and said the BBTC operating budget is projected to be higher than prior years (the superintendent referenced a planning figure of roughly $3,400,000 to operate BBTC next year). Board members were told that the district is not projecting immediate local cuts but that statewide budget negotiations could change details for secondary CTE and dual‑enrollment funding.

Administrators and principals also summarized school-level events: Steinhatchee family engagement and talent night (May 23), pre‑K graduation (May 27), K–2 awards (May 28 at 8:30 a.m.) and 3rd–5th awards (May 28 at 9:15 a.m.). The board heard that TCHS seniors have made a range of post‑graduation commitments so far: 27 students committed to four‑year universities, 41 to two‑year colleges or post‑secondary CTE programs, 14 to begin careers immediately, and nine seniors signed athletic scholarship agreements (six football, one baseball, one soccer and one softball). Administrators highlighted improved communication to families about scholarships and post‑secondary options.

The board ended the meeting with procedural motions to adjourn. There was no executive session.

Votes at a glance: the board adopted the meeting agenda and minutes and later voted to adjourn; each motion passed by voice vote with no recorded roll-call dissent.

Community members, staff and board members who spoke at the meeting included: the superintendent; board members identified in the transcript as Miss Carlton, Miss Aggrey, Miss Darnell, Miss Ball, Miss Roberts, Miss McCall, Miss Wagner and Miss Mathis; administrators Shelby and Lacey; BBTC representatives; and students and staff named during recognitions (Variah Donnell, DJ McCoy, Ethan Gere, Nikhijo Freeman, Talon Abijares, Amanda Glover, Laverne Rhodes).