Public outcry after district recommends possible closure of Leon County Virtual School; trustees say final vote still required

Dozens of speakers at the Leon County School Board's Jan. 27 meeting urged trustees to keep Leon County Virtual School (LCVS) after the superintendent's budget recommendations listed its closure as a possible measure to achieve roughly $6.7 million in savings.

Teachers, parents and recent graduates said closing the in‑district virtual option would not eliminate demand for virtual instruction but shift enrollment and state funding to statewide providers, eroding local oversight and supports for vulnerable students. "Closing Leon County Virtual School does not eliminate the need for services that we provide," said Kelly Pagan, a teacher with Leon County Virtual School. She warned the district would either have to recreate specialized virtual courses at much higher cost or lose full‑time equivalent (FTE) funding to outside providers.

Several speakers described students who succeed at LCVS because of anxiety, disabilities or other needs. Katie Crawley, an exceptional student education teacher and reading coach at LCVS, said virtual instruction provides targeted intervention and flexible settings that many ESE students rely on: "Virtual instruction allows target intervention, flexible timing, flexible setting, and individual support," she said.

Parents and alumni made similar appeals. "LCVS has welcomed me with open arms and paved the road for me," said Mohammed Maswadeh, a recent graduate, asking trustees to reconsider a closure recommendation.

Superintendent Hannah told the board the staffing and program changes proposed in the recommendation were made to achieve necessary savings in light of a constrained revenue outlook after the legislative session. He described the recommended reductions as part of a package totaling about $6.7 million and said the items listed are recommendations that must be vetted and voted on by the full board.

Trustees repeatedly emphasized that no final board vote to close LCVS has occurred. Chair Marcus Nicholas said decisions must be brought back for a formal vote. Several trustees, including Ms. Smith and Ms. Cox, expressed concern that staff and families learned of proposed changes through a district email and press reports before full board discussion and asked the superintendent to clarify communications.

The district did not take a vote on program closures that night; board members said further workshops and review will follow the legislative session so trustees can consider updated revenue expectations before any final action.

The board directed staff to continue work with affected employees and to provide additional information to trustees and the public as the recommendations are refined.