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Board debates comprehensive efficiency review as some members seek clarity before supporting teacher-salary millage
Summary
Board members discussed a packaged recommendation for efficiency studies intended to inform or precede a proposed millage for teacher salaries; members agreed to workshops and to gather clearer scope, cost and staffing analyses (including assistant-principal and dean roles) before committing.
Board member Smith introduced a letter from Scott Mazer recommending a multi-part efficiency program that would include a comprehensive structural efficiency plan, central-office and overhead compression analysis, transportation and procurement audits, a cost-per-program and ROI framework, and facility-utilization reviews.
Smith said she hoped a bundled, transparent efficiency review would make it easier for the board to consider placing a millage for teacher salaries on the ballot, adding that she wanted the district to "clean up our house" before asking the community for more revenue. Several board members agreed on the need for analysis but differed on timing and scope: some argued that a parallel effort to pursue a half-cent sales tax for facilities remained essential and should not be delayed while conducting efficiency studies.
The discussion expanded into administrative staffing. Smith presented a district overview of assistant principals and deans, noting variability across schools and an "above-staffing" cost she estimated in the million-dollar range. Board members asked the superintendent and staff to provide a staffing-plan workshop focused on deans and the district's rationale for site-level positions, and to clarify whether dean roles are district-led or site-based.
Members also discussed Leon County Virtual School financial modeling. Teacher Ashley Cliet (public comment) had presented a break-even analysis citing an $800,000 staffing/benefits model and a 44-FTE shortfall in projected enrollment; the board asked staff to cross-check those figures and report back.
The board requested workshops to define specific deliverables and timelines: a staffing/deans workshop and a March 9 workshop on the half-cent sales tax/related revenue work were mentioned; depending on outcomes, the board may return to millage questions at a future meeting.
