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Bay County School Board approves 2026–27 staffing formula, bus purchase and ELA materials; Leonard announces she will not seek re-election
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Summary
At its Feb. 10 meeting the Bay County School Board approved the 2026–27 staffing formula after discussion of dean positions and unanimously passed several consent and action items including a school bus purchase and recommended ELA instructional materials; a public commenter requested a workshop on a proposed Tyndall lease.
The Bay County School Board on Feb. 10 approved the district's 2026'27 staffing formula after members discussed dean positions at school sites, and unanimously approved a series of consent and action items including a school bus purchase and adoption of recommended English language arts instructional materials.
The staffing formula, pulled from the consent agenda for discussion, passed on a motion by Mr. Jerry Register, seconded by Mr. Winston Chester. Board members asked about dean positions during the discussion; the board did not record changes to the motion and the formula was adopted with all five members voting yes.
School Board Chairman Steve Moss led the meeting that included routine recognitions for student achievement and presentations from district staff. The board approved a request to appoint Holly Durrance to the Bay Education Foundation board and received updates on capital projects, inventory and personnel matters. A motion to approve the full consent agenda passed on a motion by Mr. Jerry Register and seconded by Mr. Christopher Moore.
During general business the board approved an updated Half Cent Sales Tax priority list for Rising Leaders Academy (motion by Mr. Jerry Register; second Ms. Ann Leonard), authorized a school bus purchase (motion by Mr. Jerry Register; second Mr. Christopher Moore) and approved participation in the TPG Cultural Exchange teacher program for 2026'27 (motion by Mr. Winston Chester; second Mr. Christopher Moore). All motions passed with the five listed board members voting in the affirmative.
In a public hearing on recommended instructional materials, Ms. Torres spoke and asked about voting procedures; the board voted to adopt the recommended ELA materials on a motion by Mr. Christopher Moore, seconded by Ms. Ann Leonard, with all members voting yes.
A public commenter, identified as Ms. Flores, asked the board to hold a public workshop or informational meeting with the superintendent, the board and Tyndall leadership about a proposed lease. The transcript notes that, according to Franklin, Tyndall's re-draft proposes a 25'year lease with a 25'year extension but that building the facility "may not be affordable." The board did not take formal action on the lease during this meeting.
District staff addressed a payroll problem raised by support personnel: Mr. McQueen and Chairman Steve Moss said the payroll system had failed and payroll entries were being processed manually; they said they expected pay to be completed in the current payroll cycle and that non-bargaining payroll would also be entered manually.
The meeting concluded with Ms. Ann Leonard announcing she will not run for re-election. The board recessed to an executive session and adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Agenda approved (Motion: Ms. Ann Leonard; second: Mr. Christopher Moore; result: passed, yes votes: Winston Chester, Ann Leonard, Christopher Moore, Jerry Register, Steve Moss). Minutes Jan. 27 approved (Motion: Mr. Steve Moss; second: Mr. Jerry Register; result: passed, unanimous). 2026'27 Staffing Formula approved (Motion: Mr. Jerry Register; second: Mr. Winston Chester; result: passed, unanimous). Policy 5200 (attendance) approved for advertisement (Motion: Mr. Christopher Moore; second: Ms. Ann Leonard; result: passed, unanimous). Half Cent Sales Tax priority list for Rising Leaders Academy approved (Motion: Mr. Jerry Register; second: Ms. Ann Leonard; result: passed, unanimous). School bus purchase approved (Motion: Mr. Jerry Register; second: Mr. Christopher Moore; result: passed, unanimous). TPG Cultural Exchange teachers approved for 2026'27 (Motion: Mr. Winston Chester; second: Mr. Christopher Moore; result: passed, unanimous). Recommended ELA instructional materials adopted (Motion: Mr. Christopher Moore; second: Ms. Ann Leonard; result: passed, unanimous).
What's next: Several items were informational or routine and require no further board action; the requested public workshop on the proposed Tyndall lease was raised during public comment but was not scheduled at this meeting.