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Board approves consent agenda items, contracts, waivers and operational changes
Summary
During the meeting the board approved motions on the agenda and consent items, awarded a contract for chillers at Memorial Elementary, amended a service agreement with HES, approved the district reading plan, monthly financial statements, transitioned fiscal‑agent responsibilities for the Heartland Education Consortium, decommissioned Syntegix for a per‑building contract reduction, and granted several qualification waivers.
The Highlands County School Board handled a series of procedural and operational items during the meeting, moving and approving the revised agenda and a multi‑item consent agenda.
The board tabled one item (permission to pull agenda item 3d, the contract between the board and Heartland Christian Academy) for later consideration and rescheduled an executive session related to collective bargaining from July 14 to July 28 immediately after the next board meeting.
On contracts and procurement: the board moved to approve a contract award for air‑cooled scroll chillers pre‑purchase specifications at Memorial Elementary School to Carrier Corporation (2526‑31) and approved an amendment to the standard service agreement between the school board and HES. The district also approved the district comprehensive evidence‑based reading plan (CERP) and the monthly financial statements ending May 31, 2026.
Regarding interdistrict responsibilities, the board authorized the superintendent to take steps to cease acting as fiscal agent for the Heartland Education Consortium and to transition those duties to the Okeechobee County School Board. The board also approved decommissioning Highlands Career Institute from the Syntegix panic‑button subscription, which the district stated will generate net savings previously estimated in the contract.
Personnel waivers were approved: the board waived the three‑year teaching experience minimum for a specific resource teacher position at Memorial Elementary after testimony from Principal Cheryl Vermele, and authorized waivers of the minimum high‑school‑diploma requirement for several support positions (bus attendant, bus operator, daycare general worker and food and nutrition general worker) for 2026–27.
Most items passed on motion and roll call; the transcript shows board members asking clarifying questions and thanking staff for information.
