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Hardee district rises to a B; board hears staffing, budget pressures and considers exploring a lobbyist
Summary
Superintendent Bennett and Dr. Albritton reported the district improved to a B with multiple school grade gains; the board discussed district office staffing, budget constraints and agreed to explore hiring a lobbyist to pursue funding opportunities.
Superintendent Bennett and Dr. Albritton told the Hardee County School Board on July 10 that the district's 2024–25 school grades improved, lifting the district from a C to a B. The presentation listed individual school grade changes, and board members discussed district office staffing, budget pressures and the possibility of hiring a lobbyist to pursue funding opportunities.
Dr. Albritton said the district moved from a C in 2023–24 to a B in 2024–25 and highlighted specific school changes: Hardy Junior High improved from a C to a B; Huachula Elementary rose from a C to an A; Zolfo Elementary moved from a C to a B; and several other schools showed point increases in ELA, math, science and reading gains. "For the district, we were a C, and we increased to a B," Dr. Albritton said, listing aggregated score improvements across subject areas.
Board members praised the improvements and asked for continued focus on core instruction and professional development. The superintendent and board also discussed recent turnover and position changes at the district office. Superintendent Bennett said the district is reallocating responsibilities among directors while reviewing each vacant position before filling it to ensure financial sustainability. "We are going to look at every single position before we fill it to make sure that we can financially support that position," she said.
Board member Miss Cornell proposed the district explore hiring a lobbyist to pursue special facilities funding and appropriations; she said conversations with other small rural districts suggested an education-focused lobbyist can bring funding advantages. Board members asked staff to research the idea and consider a workshop or report back to the board with options. No formal contract was approved; the board agreed to gather more information.
During public comment, Shelby Lambert introduced herself as the pending assistant principal at Hardy Junior High and said she looked forward to joining the school community.
