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School board agrees to provide transportation and meals for North Florida Child Development through Sept. 2 while MOU is resolved
Summary
Madison County School Board voted unanimously to continue transporting and feeding children served by North Florida Child Development until Sept. 2 while the district and the provider finish negotiating a memorandum of understanding over unpaid in-kind costs and transportation responsibilities.
The Madison County School Board voted 5-0 on Aug. 18 to provide transportation and meals to children served by North Florida Child Development (NFCD) through Sept. 2 while the district and the provider work out a memorandum of understanding.
Superintendent Dr. Pickles told the board she had received an unsigned MOU from NFCD and sought the board’s direction after a period of discussions between district staff and the provider. Dr. Pickles said NFCD had cut Greenville slots and that the provider was asking the district to supply in-kind transportation and food service dollars that had previously been covered by NFCD.
NFCD representative Miss Brown described the immediate impact on families. “If we are unable to work out something with the district, we will absolutely help them either enroll with the district,” she said, adding the agency had already cut enrollment by 17 slots at the Greenville location because of funding constraints.
Board members pressed staff for financial details and audit implications. Dr. Pickles and district staff cited a past audit finding tied to transporting VPK students and warned the district had been incurring unbilled transportation costs for two years. Board members also voiced concern about the district absorbing ongoing costs; one member asked for a cost estimate from the assistant finance director.
After discussion, board member Miss Hagan moved that the district “provide transportation and meals for the North Florida Child Development until September 2.” Miss Gibson seconded the motion. The chair called the question and the board approved the motion 5-0.
The board also directed staff to schedule a workshop to consider the MOU and longer-term arrangements; staff and NFCD representatives agreed to meet again to try to finalize terms. District staff said they would circulate the unsigned MOU and the related documentation to the board in advance of the workshop.
The board’s action preserves pupil access to the program in the near term while staff pursue a written agreement clarifying who will pay for transportation and meals and how dual enrollment or ESE funding for specific children will be handled.
