Board approves Dreamers Academy renewal, multiple policy revisions and benefit rate changes; litigation session authorized

The Sarasota County School Board handled a string of routine and substantive business on April 21: it approved a 10‑year charter renewal for Dreamers Academy, approved employee benefit rate changes effective July 1, authorized a closed litigation strategy session, and adopted multiple advertised policy revisions and repeals across chapters 2, 3, 5, 8 and 9.

Charter renewal: Superintendent Connor said the Dreamers Academy renewal was the result of a comprehensive assessment of school performance, finances and governance and "meet[s] the standard renewal model set for the Florida Department of Education." Mrs. Rose moved approval, Mr. Edwards seconded, and the board approved the renewal unanimously.

Benefits: The board approved changes to employee group benefit rates effective July 1, 2026. Connor said the changes are part of a financial sustainability plan negotiated with union partners and that the negotiated package received an 86% ratification rate by union members.

Policies and repeals: The board considered and adopted several advertised policy revisions covering governance (chapter 2), student safety and wellness (chapter 3), student services (chapter 5), auxiliary services and facility use (chapter 8 and 9), and repealed several outdated policies. Votes on these items were taken by voice and recorded as unanimous.

Executive session authorization: The board approved a motion to authorize a litigation strategy session under Florida Statute 286.0118 regarding Mary Andrews v. the School Board to be held on May 5 following the scheduled workshop.

Votes at a glance:
- Dreamers Academy charter renewal (10.1): Approved unanimously.
- Employee group benefits rates (10.2): Approved unanimously; ratification rate stated as 86% by unions.
- Litigation strategy session authorization (10.3): Approved unanimously; meeting scheduled 2026‑05‑05.
- Policy chapter revisions and repeals (10.4–10.9): Approved unanimously by voice vote.

The board recorded the votes publicly where required; most items passed on unanimous voice votes, while policy 5.301 (student demonstrations) passed 3–2 (see full article).