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HES briefs Highlands County School Board on quality checks, staffing and background-check delays
Summary
Jason Whitaker, regional manager for HES, told the Highlands County School Board the contractor has rolled out a real-time inspection tool, completed 466 checks since schools opened, and is facing longer background-check and drug-test turnaround times tied to vendor and state clearinghouse changes.
Jason Whitaker, regional manager for HES, briefed the Highlands County School Board on custodial operations, quality-assurance checks and staffing challenges during the board meeting.
Whitaker said HES introduced a mobile quality-inspection program called Go Spot Check and that managers have completed 466 inspections since the start of the school year, with an average score of 92.97. He reported the lowest score was 88.83 at Memorial Elementary and the highest 96.99 at the old Sebring pre-K site. "As we collect that information, that data tells us which areas ... so that we can kind of focus our training," Whitaker said.
The report covered management changes at HES: Jahira Hernandez was named district manager in December and Luis Rivera was hired in March as area manager. Whitaker also listed employee recognitions for August, naming Marie V. Miranda at Highlands Virtual Academy and Yaharia Vega at Lake Placid Elementary.
Whitaker told the board HES provides monthly "report cards" to principals that rate hallways, cafeterias, classrooms, restrooms and perimeter management and said principals can nominate employees for employee- and school-of-the-month. He said the report cards allow HES to retrain and refocus staff where scores indicate problems.
On staffing, Whitaker reported ongoing delays in background checks and drug tests after a recent change in the district's drug-testing vendor and state changes to the background-check clearinghouse. "Through the district," Whitaker said when asked who processes the drug testing and background checks. He added some staff have lost federal work authorization and were required to leave employment when federal authorizations were revoked.
Whitaker told the board HES offers substitutes and overtime to cover absences and that managers prioritize filling elementary schools first, then middle and high schools. He said HES and district administrators continue to address culture and expectations for hourly employees and plant operators.
No board action was taken on the HES report; the presentation was an update and staff said they would continue collaboration with district administration to address the issues Whitaker raised.
