Highlands board approves routine consent items, ratified support-staff contract and agreements
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Summary
The Highlands County School Board adopted the revised agenda and approved consent items including personnel recommendations, expulsions/placements, an amendment to the Blue Cross administrative services agreement, ratification of a 2025–2028 support-staff contract, and an agreement with Abbot Center; the Office of Safe Schools reported zero compliance findings for the quarter.
The Highlands County School Board voted to adopt a revised agenda and approved multiple consent items during the meeting. Motions to approve were made and seconded and board members recorded affirmative roll-call votes for the items presented.
Key approvals included the superintendent’s personnel recommendations and expulsions/academic placements. The board approved an amendment to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield administrative service agreement after a motion and second; the motion carried on roll-call affirmations.
The board also approved the 2025–2028 contract between the School Board of Highlands County and the Highlands County Educational Support Professionals Association as ratified by the union. "I'm certainly sure that our employees are happy to see that contract ratified," one board member said. Board members thanked negotiators and staff for their work on the agreement.
John Verity, safety and security, delivered the Office of Safe Schools quarterly compliance report, saying the office had "0 compliance visits in Highlands County, and there were 0 findings." The meeting record showed the board moved to approve an agreement with Abbot Center and discussed AVID program outcomes, with staff and board members praising the program's impact on graduation and student success.
Most motions in the consent package were approved by unanimous or near-unanimous vocal roll call; no substantive opposition or amendments were recorded on the consent items during this meeting. Subsequent agenda items and workshop scheduling were noted for follow-up.