Florida / School Districts / DeSoto
The board recognized Jerry Mead, DCEA union president, on his retirement and highlighted a 53-year public service career spanning Navy service, classroom teaching, coaching and union leadership. Mead said he will remain available to assist the new president.
Florida / School Districts / DeSoto
The DeSoto School District board approved the superintendent agenda — including a late addition allowing DeSoto High School FFA to attend the state competition — and passed routine motions on minutes and finances. The board also recognized retiring union president Jerry Mead and heard a DJJ program update.
Florida / School Districts / DeSoto
Dr. Bennett reported that of 37 students served in the DJJ program this year, 3 have returned to the program (the transcript characterizes this as 'approximately 8.8%') and 18.3% were repeat offenders, supporting continued use of targeted Tier 2 and Tier 3 behavioral interventions rather than broad punitive measures.
Florida / School Districts / DeSoto
The district's attorney reported receipt of a cease-and-desist letter from Wilfredo (described as executive director of the Peace River Service Unit) regarding 'FRP 2526-01' connected to the food service management company and recommended retaining counsel; the attorney also noted a $20,000 estate gift earmarked for Memorial Elementary K–2 teachers.
Florida / School Districts / DeSoto
The DeSoto County School District board received its Annual Financial Report noting assets exceeded liabilities by $19.42 million but a net position drop of $3.54 million from the prior year tied to the end of American Rescue Plan funds; the board authorized filing the AFR for the auditor general's review.
Florida / School Districts / DeSoto
At its Jan. 27 meeting the DeSoto County School District board added an urgent school‑safety item to the superintendent's agenda and Superintendent Dr. Bennett said E‑Rate funds will be used to run fiber to the new DeSoto High School and to harden district technology for disaster resilience.
Florida / School Districts / DeSoto
The DeSoto County School District board unanimously approved the Jan. 13 minutes, financial reports, routine and new business, and adjourned at 5:38 p.m.; no public comments were recorded.
Florida / School Districts / DeSoto
The board chair said the superintendent removed a facilities-naming proposal from the published agenda and declared 'just cause' to leave it off; the board attorney read the statute on post-publication agenda changes and members debated the naming and urged public participation.
Florida / School Districts / DeSoto
The DeSoto County School Board recognized Teacher of the Year Karina Espinosa, school-related employee Makayla Butts and beginning teacher Brooke Williams at its Jan. 13 meeting and approved the superintendent's agenda, minutes and routine financial and business items unanimously.
Florida / School Districts / DeSoto
Superintendent Dr. Bobby Bennett told the board Accenture will shift to a per‑employee, per‑month billing model expected to save the district; he announced metal detectors for DeSoto High School to arrive after Christmas, scheduled a closed session on school safety for Dec. 17, and referenced scholarship funding tied to South Florida State College (amounts unclear in the transcript).