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Friends of Stevens School say county did not notify volunteers about schedule changes; commissioners promise follow-up
Summary
Volunteers who worked on Stevens School preservation told commissioners they were not informed of schedule changes and felt disrespected. Commissioners and staff said they would follow up and work to improve communications with citizen committees.
GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. — Members of Friends of Stevens School told the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners on May 6 they felt excluded after being left out of scheduling and planning for a long-term Stevens School renovation and related events.
"We've been meeting since 2017 to get Stevens School finished," Carol Ford told commissioners. "I was part of writing the grant. Nobody called me and let me know what those changes were. I'm the chairman. Nobody even respected me enough to call me." Ford said volunteers had rushed to sign paperwork and prepare for a planned trip, only to find changes had been made without notice.
Commissioners and staff responded in the meeting. One commissioner said the scheduling and ribbon-cutting were not coordinated with the committee and that staff appointments and staff turnover had interrupted the county’s process. Commissioners emphasized they value volunteer work and promised better communication.
County staff said the county’s event coordination and public relations practices led to confusion when the staff person who handled bookings left the county. The county administrator said staff would improve outreach to volunteers and bring committee leaders into planning earlier.
Why it matters
Stevens School has been a multi-year community-led restoration effort; volunteers and community leaders have invested time and grant-writing to secure and implement work. Breakdowns in coordination risk undermining community trust and slow project momentum.
What happens next
Commissioners requested staff contact the Friends of Stevens School committee to confirm upcoming plans and to include committee members in program and ribbon-cutting scheduling. Commissioner Holt and staff agreed to follow up directly after the meeting.
Speakers and references
Carol Ford testified on behalf of Friends of Stevens School. Commissioners and the county administrator addressed the committee’s concerns and described steps to correct the lapse.
