Board approves remote-work policies, K–5 science adoption and charter renewal; one member opposes Tallahassee Classical renewal

The Leon County School Board approved a slate of routine and substantive items during its Feb. 11 business meeting, voting unanimously on several policy advertisements and instructional-adoption items and approving a five‑year renewal for Tallahassee Classical School by a 4–1 vote. The board also approved a memorandum of understanding to distribute recognition payments to staff at a school that earned a B grade.

Board members voted to advertise proposed changes to public-participation rules and to advertise three new remote-work policies for consideration and public hearing on March 25, 2025. The motions to advertise those policies were approved without discussion and passed unanimously.

The board unanimously approved K–5 science adoption for McGraw Hill (Science, 2024), the result of an elementary-level adoption committee that included representatives from each elementary school and a science expert consultant. Secondary selections for middle and high school are still under committee review.

On charter renewals, the board approved a five‑year renewal for Tallahassee Classical School, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030. The renewal committee’s evaluation found the school “meets the standard” or “approaches the standard” in most areas; transportation was identified as not meeting the standard and the committee noted financial concerns described as “approaching the standard.” The board approved renewal 4–1; Mr. Jones recorded the lone opposing vote.

The board also approved a memorandum of understanding to provide a recognition payment to staff at R. Frank Nims School following the school’s B grade. Board discussion identified the amount coming to the school as “about $70,000,” and an attachment referenced $77,000; the motion to approve the MOU passed unanimously.

Additional routine approvals included consent items and several out-of-county travel approvals for board members to attend conferences, which the board said constituted official board business; those motions passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance - Changes and additions to the Feb. 11 agenda (including personnel approvals and pulled items): motion passed unanimously. - Advertise amendments to Policy 169.1 (public participation): pulled from consent (no vote). - Advertise new Policy 1,500 (remote work): motion to advertise passed unanimously (public hearing set for 03/25/2025). - Advertise new Policy 3,500 (remote work): motion to advertise passed unanimously (public hearing set for 03/25/2025). - Advertise new Policy 4,500 (remote work): motion to advertise passed unanimously (public hearing set for 03/25/2025). - K–5 science adoption (McGraw Hill, 2024): approved unanimously. - Charter renewal — Tallahassee Classical School (07/01/2025–06/30/2030): approved 4–1 (Mr. Jones opposed). - Memorandum of understanding for school recognition payments (R. Frank Nims School): approved unanimously (amount discussed as approx. $70,000; attachment referenced $77,000). - Multiple out-of-county travel approvals for board members (FSBA conferences and other educational events): approved unanimously.

Board members emphasized that the charter renewal decision followed the statutory review process and a site visit and said the board will receive any subsequent contract amendments if the charter school enters a management agreement with a third party.

The board set public hearings for the advertised policies for March 25, 2025, and noted that item 12.01 (an amendment to a joint-use agreement) and 19.01 (public participation policy) were pulled for further review.