Parents, union leaders and coaches urge district to reopen transfer window, raise support-staff pay and expedite debate trip approvals

Multiple community members used the public comment period at the March 11 St. Johns County School Board meeting to press the district on personnel and operational issues, including a request to reopen the internal transfer window, a call for higher wages for support staff ahead of collective-bargaining talks, and a request for quicker updates on permission for a school's debate team travel.

Kate Dowdy, who identified herself as representing the St. Johns Education Association and gave her address, said staff at some smaller schools had been informed of changes to school start and end times and possible instructional-staff reductions for the 2025–26 school year after the district's internal transfer window had already closed. She asked the district to reopen the internal transfer window for a short period so affected employees could request transfers that meet their families' needs.

Charlena (Shar) Rakowski, president of the St. Johns Educational Support Professionals Association, urged the board to prioritize support-staff wages during the upcoming negotiations. Rakowski listed job classifications included in support staff (paraprofessionals, food service workers, custodians, bus operators, maintenance, secretaries, extended-day staff) and asked the district to consider “putting more money on the table” to address rising costs of living.

Vivana Ram, a parent and supporter of Creekside High School's speech and debate program, asked for help tracking and expediting a permission request for the school's team, which has qualified for state competition in Sarasota in April. She said the team learned of its state qualification in February, that sponsors were covering travel and lodging arrangements, and asked for a district contact or status update so the team can finalize logistics.

Patricia Jensen used her three-minute slot to congratulate students recognized at the meeting and to criticize the invocation as inappropriate for a public meeting; the board did not reply to the opinion on invocation practice during the comment period.

Board members listened and did not take formal action during the public-comment period. Superintendent and staff previously described the broader process for staffing and budgeting priorities during the meeting; the superintendent noted personnel decisions and projections are underway as the district prepares for 2025–26 and that some decisions are influenced by recent policy changes and enrollment trends.