The most contentious part of the meeting involved the board’s conversation about the amendment to the construction manager contract for the addition to Liberty Middle School. The board ultimately voted against the amendment, with a split vote of two in favor and three against. The board’s debate centered on the rising construction costs, the selection of the construction manager, and the addition of covered outside dining areas, which contributed to the increased project costs.

Further complicating the matter, the board discussed the investigative report regarding a complaint about the high school construction manager contract’s selection process. The investigation led to a debate among the board members about the appropriate course of action, touching on the roles of the selection committee and bidders, and the scoring criteria used in the process. The board considered a range of potential actions, including the suspension or revocation of pre-qualification certificates for bidders who violated School Board policy.

The meeting also focused on the approval of various contracts and grants. The board unanimously passed the Adult General Education (AE) Grant application for the 2024-2025 academic year and a memorandum of understanding with Career Source Citrus Levy Marion. Additionally, the board approved the purchase of three new school buses, the installation and repair of playground equipment, and the acquisition of audio and video equipment for the district.

The board acknowledged 35 contracts for therapeutic services, with a combined value of over $3 million, designed to benefit students in the exceptional student education program.

Administrative personnel items were also a topic of conversation, with members discussing the legal limitations on their involvement in personnel matters and affirming the need to respect the superintendent’s authority in such decisions. This followed a query regarding a non-reappointment in the facilities department and the resignation of the supervisor of facilities.

The meeting addressed other district matters such as the approval of the 2024-2025 student progression plan, recognizing the achievements of the Belleview Middle School robotics teams, donations to the district, and the approval of various agreements, including a special data share agreement with Class Link Incorporated and payment of International Baccalaureate Program fees.

Board committee reports and concerns rounded out the meeting, with discussions on various topics, including upcoming administrative briefings, work sessions, legislative priorities, and summer school attendance. The board also discussed the importance of impact fee collection and the need for these fees to be held in an interest-bearing account. Additionally, the board proposed developing a handbook for onboarding new board members to ensure a smooth transition for potential new members following the election.