Hendry County school board approves consent agenda minus item H, names RFQ committee member and OKs U.S. Sugar parking partnership

The Hendry County School Board on March 3 approved most items on its consent agenda while pulling Item H for further edits, named a board representative to the RFQ selection committee for the Leavell High School architect and approved a hold‑harmless agreement allowing U.S. Sugar to use a fenced lot north of Central for after‑hours event parking.

Superintendent recommended that Item H be pulled from the consent agenda so staff could make required edits; the board agreed and proceeded to vote on the remainder of the consent agenda. A motion to approve the consent agenda minus Item H passed by voice vote (recorded as 5 in favor). The superintendent also told the board that Item H will be returned for consideration at a later meeting.

Board members discussed several items that had been placed on consent, including facility repairs at King Field and a Chromebook refresh. Miss Emily, who handled the Chromebook details, said state ERD funding that once helped pay for one‑to‑one device programs is no longer available and the district is using capital funds for the refresh. Several board members questioned whether investing roughly “a half‑million dollars” in devices remains the best use of capital dollars and emphasized that classroom instruction should remain primary, with devices used as supplemental tools.

On action items the board appointed a member to the RFQ evaluation committee for the new Leavell High School architect after a nomination and vote. The board also opened and closed a public hearing on proposed revisions to Policy 9143 and independent sales tax committee oversight, received no public comment, and approved the changes as presented.

In a separate vote the board approved a proposed parking arrangement with U.S. Sugar. Staff described a fenced, gated area on the north side of Central that would remain locked during school hours and be made available for event parking on weekends and evenings; staff said the district will add a short fence to prevent access to the bus compound and will pursue signage and modest improvements. The board discussed cameras and monitoring but staff said cameras currently face the bus area and additional site monitoring will be implemented as needed. The board voted to approve the hold‑harmless agreement for the parking use.

What happens next: Item H will return to a future consent agenda once staff completes edits; staff will coordinate the RFQ selection committee and proceed with RFQ evaluation for the LHS architect; the district will finalize the parking arrangement details and implement the physical fencing and access controls before U.S. Sugar begins using the lot.