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Board approves staffing‑allocation updates, several scheduling waivers and targets media/ESP concerns
Summary
The board approved the FY 2026‑27 staffing‑allocation manual and a set of waivers allowing several schools to change schedules (including 4x4 block and 6‑of‑7 proposals); union representatives and staff urged restoring clerical and media‑aid hours and discussed bargaining implications.
The Alachua County School Board voted April 21 to approve the district’s FY 2026‑27 staffing‑allocation manual and to grant multiple scheduling waivers for the 2026‑27 school year.
Staff described a cleanup of the allocations book: art, music and physical education are listed separately; assistant principals are allocated by school level; guidance clerical aid hours are standardized at four hours per school; Alachua eSchool allocations were realigned by content area; and the character‑counts program staffing was clarified. Staff said these edits do not change total allocations for the coming year.
Board members asked detailed questions about eSchool staffing bands, secondary media specialist thresholds (the district increased the student count thresholds modestly), and whether principals may reallocate unfilled partial‑time units across staff. Staff confirmed that changes affecting wages or hours would be subject to collective bargaining. Several board members urged caution on expanding staffing commitments until the state budget is final.
The board also approved a set of requested waivers, each with faculty and advisory‑council approvals and the superintendent’s recommendation:
- Hawthorne Middle High: approved 4x4 block waiver (contingent on class‑size requirements). - Mebane Middle: approved waiver to teach 6 of 7 periods to allow expanded electives (world language, full‑time music, agriculture). - Lofton High (Professional Academy magnet): approved 4x4 waiver. - High Springs Community School (K‑8): approved modified schedule to allow cohesive busing and early‑release Wednesdays.
Union leaders representing teachers and education support professionals (ESPs) urged the board to restore hours taken from clerical positions and to return secondary media‑aid positions that were eliminated. Carmen Ward, president of the Alachua County Education Association, said cuts to ESP hours and media aids harm students and staff and noted that the district’s 1‑mill property‑tax funding could be used to prioritize media aids. Board members and staff agreed to follow up with details on costs and bargaining implications.
Several board members asked staff for a chart comparing schedules and pay differences across waivers and for a clearer breakdown of possible funding sources for any new allocations. Staff said they will provide follow‑up information and noted that certain changes (hours/calendar) require bargaining with the union.
