Hardee County School Board adopts district facilities work program after advertised public hearing

The Hardee County School Board unanimously adopted a district facilities work program covering physical years 2425 through 2829 at a public hearing held June 9, 2025.

The board called the hearing to order at 5:01 p.m. and said the program was being adopted “as required by section 1013.35, Florida Statutes,” and in line with Florida Department of Education specifications. The board’s chair said the district approved a tentative plan on May 22, 2025, and that copies of the tentative program were emailed to the county and municipal managers on May 27. The hearing notice was posted on the school board website and advertised in the Herald Advocate on June 5.

Board member Claire Cornell moved to adopt the work program; the motion was seconded by board member Stacy Dasher. The board then opened the floor for public comment and, seeing none, voted individually to record each member’s vote. The board chair, Miss Dasher, Mr. Smith, Miss Cornell, the chair (speaking as “myself” in the transcript) and Dr. Stacy Sharp (attending by phone) each voted “aye.” The chair declared the motion passed by a 5-0 vote.

Board members said they had no public comments during the hearing. The board then adjourned the facilities hearing and convened the regular school board meeting.

Why it matters: District facilities work programs provide the multi-year planning framework school districts use to project school capacity needs and capital projects. The board cited statutory requirements under section 1013.35, Florida Statutes, and said the district followed the statutorily required notice and intergovernmental review steps prior to adoption.