Board reviews Franklin Covey "Leader in Me" proposal, asks for clearer cost and evaluation plan

The Hernando County School Board heard a presentation on the Leader in Me program from Franklin Covey representatives and district staff, who described the program's focus on leadership, culture and academics and identified seven schools that have expressed interest in a pilot cohort.

Board members raised repeated questions about cost, funding sources and how the district would measure results if the board approves the proposal. Several trustees asked that the district return to a future workshop with a one‑year contract option, a clear budget breakdown showing which funds would pay what, and a performance evaluation plan tied to baseline data before placing the item on a vote.

Megan Schlechter, Hernando County director of federal programs, introduced Michelle Wirk, Franklin Covey managing client partner, who described the Leader in Me framework and its “measurable results assessment” (MRA) that she said would provide baseline and annual stakeholder surveys to track leadership, culture and academics. Wirk said Franklin Covey would provide coaches to help schools implement the program and that district leaders would have access to a district dashboard…