School Board Workshop To Be Rescheduled

SEBRING - The school board workshop scheduled for Tuesday to discuss the issue of an appointed versus an elected superintendent of schools has been canceled.

Florida School Boards Association Executive Director Wayne Blanton, who was to provide the background on the issue, had a scheduling conflict prompting the cancellation. A new workshop date has yet to be determined.

A citizen request initiated the school board's interest in reviewing the pros and cons of the two methods of filling the top position in the school district. Currently the superintendent is elected by the county's voters to a four-year term.

Florida has 42 counties with an elected superintendent and 25 counties with an appointed superintendent. But of the 15,500 school districts in the country, there are only about 300 with an elected superintendent.

Changing to an appointed school chief requires a resolution by the school board and voter approval by
referendum.

The School Board of Highlands County will hold a regular meeting at 6 p.m., Tuesday, in the Garland Boggus Board Room, 426 School St., Sebring.

The school board will consider approval of the 2007-08 K-12 School Improvement Plans and the district's Improvement, Assistance and Intervention Plan, which specifies programs and strategies designed to strengthen the core academic program.

The board will also consider the expulsion of eight students for the following offenses: possession/distribution of a prescription drug, aggravated battery, four for possession of prescription drugs and two for drug possession.

An amended interlocal agreement on impact fees will also be considered by the school board.