Hancock County School District reports test-score gains, graduation plans and facilities updates; board approves consent items

Hancock County School District board members approved the meeting's consent agenda and a policy update and heard a report from Superintendent Lavener that highlighted rising test scores, upcoming graduations and summer facilities work across the district.

Superintendent Lavener told the board the district expects higher accountability results when state data are released and noted several student-achievement highlights. He said the district's average ACT score was 19.5 last year and that internal calculations put the district at about 20.1 for the coming year. Lavener also reported the district ranked in the top 10–11 percent statewide for third-grade reading, and said the district was number four on the coast for that metric.

The board approved the consent agenda, covering items 1 through 59 and item 61, and approved minutes from the April 14, 2025 meeting. Item 3, described in the meeting as a routine acceptance with no changes, was approved, and the board voted to update a district policy labeled in the transcript as “Policy B, section B ID DJD.” The transcript records the motions and multiple “all in favor” confirmations; detailed roll-call tallies were not provided in the record.

District staff reported summer maintenance and construction activity. Facilities staff member McCombs described security measures planned for the high school campus, including gated control of Fred Hays Road where the county granted closure authority and a continuous fence linking buildings around the performing arts center and career technical areas. McCombs said the gates will be closed when school starts and closed at night, allowing controlled daytime access.

Superintendent Lavener reviewed end-of-year events and district outreach. He noted senior award ceremonies, fifth-grade “flight” ceremonies and other school-level graduations leading up to the district graduation scheduled for “Friday night” in the transcript. Lavener said the district is tracking millage and tax-assessment data and reported the current millage remains at 45.29.

The board opened and reviewed a bid for a lease of several sections of land described in the meeting as sections 16, 7 and 14 W totaling 161 acres. The bid cited $13.68 per acre, which the transcript states equals $2,202.48 per year for five years; the bid name in the record is Francis Gordy of Brandon, Mississippi. The transcript records the board reviewed that bid during the meeting; a final approval outcome for that specific item was not recorded in the available excerpt.

Board members and staff praised recent events and student recognition programs. Board member Sean (District 1) complimented the senior assembly and the organization of senior awards. Multiple board members commended staff members who organized ceremonies and new initiatives such as commitment medals for kindergarteners that will carry through to senior year.

Superintendent Lavener told the board the state will release final accountability figures around August or September; he said the district will report full statewide comparisons once those numbers are available. No new binding policy changes beyond the recorded policy update were announced at the meeting.

The meeting included non-substantive ceremonial remarks (invocation and pledge) that are not part of this report.