# October 20, 2026: HCSD School Board Meeting


**Body:** Hernando Schools
**Date:** October 19, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Education, Construction & Infrastructure, Physical Infrastructure


The Hernando County School District (HCSD) School Board held its regular meeting on October 20, 2026. The board adopted a revised agenda and later approved the consent agenda, both by 5-0 votes. The agenda added approval for Springstead High School chorus students to attend the Florida Music Educator Association Conference in Tampa, including an overnight field trip; the consent agenda’s 5-0 approval appears to have authorized those items. The agenda also deleted a proposed consulting-services agreement with Shaun Friend, doing business as Sand Panther Educational Consulting LLC, covering Wilton Simpson Technical College and authorizing a purchase order not to exceed $95,000. The agreement was therefore removed from consideration; no award or purchase was approved for it at this meeting.

In closing comments, a board member cited I-Ready as costing approximately $1.4 million annually and suggested seeking a less expensive alternative, but no action was taken. Members also discussed a possible future auxiliary or satellite school serving the county’s east side and mentioned ongoing construction at East Side Academy; neither discussion resulted in a procurement decision or funding approval. No other specific contract awards or spending actions were identified.

**Source:** Hernando Schools