A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to tackling the ongoing teacher shortage within the district, particularly affecting core subjects like English Language Arts (ELA) at Fison High School. The lack of qualified teachers has prompted the board to approve a contract with Elevate K12, an online teaching platform. This platform has previously been employed with some success in the district, providing students with necessary instruction when in-person teachers are unavailable. An official noted that while the experience is not equivalent to having a physical teacher, it is superior to independent online learning methods. The cost of implementing Elevate K12 was negotiated to match the cost of hiring a teacher, and the agreement allows for flexibility should a qualified teacher become available.

In response to the underperformance of the Digital Academy of Florida, which has received back-to-back D ratings, the board approved the hiring of an in-district principal. This move, prompted by the Florida Department of Education’s turnaround plan, aims to monitor and enhance the school’s academic progress. The position will be funded by the Digital Academy of Florida. The principal will work closely with district officials to implement strategies that address the school’s challenges.

Additionally, the board granted permission to advertise proposed policy revisions. These revisions are necessary to comply with recent changes in state laws and statutes. The timely approval of these policies is important for maintaining the district’s regulatory compliance.