The Alachua County School Board completed its annual organizational business on Nov. 19, electing Thomas Vu as board chair and Leonetta McNeely as vice chair and approving its 2026 meeting schedule and committee assignments. The organizational portion was presided over by Superintendent Dr. Patton, who chaired while the board conducted nominations and votes.

Dr. Leonetta McNeely nominated Janine Plavac for chair and Plavac used the nomination to outline her education and community service background, saying she had “the passion I have for my position” and highlighting her experience as a local educator and program director. That nomination failed on a voice vote. A subsequent nomination of Tina Certain also did not win majority support. The board then nominated and voted to elect Thomas Vu as chair.

After Vu’s election the board opened nominations for vice chair. Dr. McNeely nominated Janine Plavac for vice chair; that nomination failed. The board then nominated and elected McNeely as vice chair.

The board also approved its regular business meeting schedule (regular business meetings at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays; workshops the Wednesday after the first meeting) and discussed, then adopted, a staff-recommended calendar for monthly workshops. Members debated an amendment to alternate workshop start times to accommodate working members; the amendment was withdrawn and the calendar was adopted by unanimous vote.

Committee assignments were updated by motion: the Alachua County Planning Commission seat will be filled by staff, and the board revised primary and alternate assignments for the Education Foundation, MTPO subcommittee and Blunt Center Advisory Committee. The board also reviewed and approved district travel plans and designated Main Street Daily News as the district’s official newspaper for legal notices.

The organizational meeting concluded at 10:44 a.m. before the board convened a related lease corporation meeting and then the regular board meeting.