SPECIAL MEETING AND WORKSHOP - Apr 28 2026

The Citrus County School Board held a special meeting and workshop on April 28, 2026, focusing primarily on administrative appointments, technology upgrades, health insurance discussions, transportation logistics, and capital improvement planning. Key procurement-related discussions included approval of a $897,000 contract amendment with Vertex for a district-wide phone system replacement, which includes hardware, support, and training, with the project budgeted under $1.1 million and expected to be completed over the summer. The board discussed the rationale for selecting Vertex based on competitive pricing and strong support, as well as plans to upgrade phone line infrastructure through Suncom to improve system redundancy and reliability. Additionally, the board reviewed transportation operations, including bus driver recruitment, route management, and plans to implement routing automation technology to improve efficiency. The meeting also covered health insurance committee feedback on exploring the Fleet insurance pool, with members currently opting to monitor other districts' experiences before committing. Capital improvement projects were reviewed, including renovations and traffic safety enhancements at various schools, with some projects unfunded and slated for future years. Policy updates related to school discipline, electronic device use, and athletic eligibility were also discussed, including the introduction of EKG screenings for student athletes. No votes on new contracts beyond the phone system amendment were recorded, but motions to approve administrative appointments and the phone system contract amendment were passed unanimously. The meeting reflected ongoing efforts to balance operational needs, budget constraints, and stakeholder input in district planning and procurement activities.