Mainstreet Daily News
The School Board of Alachua County will tackle a full agenda at its first regular meeting of 2021 at 6 p.m. tonight.
Among the he board will discuss school capacity and controlled open enrollment. Each year, the board establishes the capacity for each school in the district and the 90 percent threshold for controlled open enrollment, the agenda states.
Policy 7110 requires capacity to be based on the most current Florida Inventory of School Houses (FISH) report, unless extenuating circumstances call for a different number. It is recommended that schools undergoing major construction/facilities updates have their capacity set to zero for controlled open enrollment purposes.
It is also recommended to eliminate Elementary School I from controlled open enrollment until district-wide rezoning occurs to ensure capacity will be available for students zoned to the school at that time. (Annual exceptions may be available based on the board decision regarding zoning and seats available.)
Based on each school’s projected enrollment and board policy, students timely requesting controlled open enrollment in schools will either be granted admission for the following school year or placed on a waiting list.
K-12 Civic Literacy Booklist
The purpose of this program is to help LEAs buy directly from the K-12 civic literacy booklist. Through funding awarded by the Florida Department of Education, school districts must purchase books from the K-12 civic literacy booklist. Books must be purchased in accordance with the booklist prioritization chart. From the total LEA allocation, each LEA shall provide an allocation of $1027.00 to each charter school in their district.
Buchholz High School Athletic Improvements
At the Nov. 3, 2020, SBAC meeting, Board Member Tina Certain requested that after the organizational meeting the board revisit and consider possible motion to rescind the board’s action on Nov. 3, 2020, regarding the approval of Option II for the professional services fee and project. Phases I and II had a projected amount of $1,312,790, which includes design fees, plus additional services and reimbursable expenses.
The scope of work in Phase I and Phase II includes: remove retention walls and slabs at existing bleachers; new retention walls and slabs for new bleachers; new elevated bleachers; new slabs for relocated bleachers; relocate existing bleachers, new slab for temporary restrooms, new grading and sod, tree removal; new ADA parking improvements; renovate entry steps; remove existing ramp; new entry ramp; meeting ADA requirements for the press box; new public address system; new grading and sod.
Class Size Reduction Compliance Plan
Student class size is calculated annually based on the Survey 2 FTE counts, pursuant to 1003.03(2) Florida Statutes. This year, two schools are above class size. Alachua Elementary has reported class sizes in grades KG-3 with a class size average of 20.50 (instead of 18.0) and Hawthorne Middle High School is over class size in grades 4-8 with a class size average of 23.13 (instead of 22.0). The district is required to submit a Class Size Compliance Plan no later than February 1, 2021, that explains the actions the district will take to ensure compliance in the following year.
James Patterson Literacy Challenge Partnership Agreement
This agreement between the School Board of Alachua County and the James Patterson Literacy Challenge outlines systemic, ongoing professional development provided to administrators, coaches, teachers, and staff throughout the district to more effectively meet the literacy needs of students.
To see the meeting agenda click here.