Superintendent spotlights internships, tutoring data-sharing and athlete EKG screenings in consent agenda

Sarasota County — During the superintendent’s report Wednesday evening, Terry Connor summarized consent-agenda items the board was asked to approve, including affiliation agreements with multiple colleges, a data-sharing agreement to support a state-funded reading initiative, and service contracts intended to launch new student programs.

Highlights: Connor pointed to a package of affiliation agreements (items 9.1, 9.2, 9.9 and 9.15) with colleges and universities — described as supporting field experiences, classroom observations and internships for prospective teachers and students. He described a data-sharing agreement (item 9.3) with UF’s Lassinger Center, New World’s Reading Initiative and Florida Tutoring Advantage, noting the agreement broadens district data access required by recent state legislation.

Program and procurement details: Connor described awards and agreements including:
- A $421,042.17 approval for grades 1–3 English language arts intervention and structural materials (item 9.7).
- An interagency agreement with Empath Stratom, Inc. (Blue Butterfly), for grief counseling services for students ages 5–18 (item 9.8).
- A services agreement with Who We Play For Inc. to provide EKG screenings for high-school athletes at $20 per screening, with provisions to assist families who cannot pay (item 9.27).
- Approval of computer equipment and flooring contracts capped at $3,000,000 and $4,000,000 respectively (items 9.20 and 9.25).
- A partnership with Symcor Productions and Suncoast Technical College to launch a digital cinema career certificate program tied to Booker High School and Suncoast Technical College (item 10).

Supervisor comments: Connor thanked staff and community partners and noted the Insight Community Connections live Q&A with the board and superintendent on Sept. 3 at Woodland Middle School. The board later approved the consent agenda by voice vote.

Ending: The consent-agenda highlights package bundles routine procurement, program launches and interagency agreements intended to expand internships, tutoring, student health screenings and technology procurement capacity across the district.