Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind

The meeting included reports from various committees, including updates on enrollment trends, outreach services, and early intervention programs. The Audit Committee presented action items related to the acceptance and implementation of the proposed 2025-2026 Internal Audit Plan, procurement for the Annual Audit of Endowment Funds, and hiring an Internal Auditor. There were discussions on student success data, legislative updates, and department reports covering business services and school safety. Action items included the disposal of surplus property and approval of revised FSDB building names. The Board also discussed President Snow's Performance Evaluation and a request for reimbursement of flight expenses to the Texas School for the Deaf.

The ASL-English Bilingual Program Overview for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) for the 2016-2017 school year focuses on implementing a bilingual instructional approach. The goals include improving sign language skills among staff, creating an accessible environment, and enhancing students' communication abilities in both ASL and English. The program emphasizes teacher training, clear language use, and equal value for both languages, with a focus on reading, writing, and spoken English as appropriate. The expected outcomes are improved language skills, increased accessibility, and enhanced communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

The Audit Committee meeting included updates on internal audits related to the Division of Blind Services Grants and Contracts, Construction Contracts and Subcontractors, and Food Services Purchases, Expenditures, and Inventory. The committee reviewed the independent auditor findings from the FYE 2024 agreed-upon procedures tested in student, club, and class accounts. The Financial Statement audit is nearing completion. The board approved to renew the contract with Mauldin & Jenkins for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to provide internal audit and financial statement services, and to renew the contract with Carr, Riggs, & Ingram for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to conduct the Annual Audit of Endowment Funds and Limited Procedures Engagement.

The agenda includes a call to order, pledge of allegiance, roll call, and public comments. It also covers the consideration and approval of meeting minutes from August 22, 2025, and August 25, 2025. Committee reports include the Enrollment Committee and Audit Committee. The President's reports cover student success with a focus on data, a strategic plan report, and a legislative update. Department reports include Allied Health Services, Boarding Program, Business Services, Blind Department, Communications & Public Relations, Deaf Department, Human Resources, Instructional Services, and Technology, Outreach, and Parent Services. Action items include surplus property, building names, and a district best practices assessment and recommendations. New business includes the President's Performance Evaluation, followed by unfinished business, board comments, and adjournment.

The meeting agenda includes a call to order, pledge of allegiance, roll call, public comments, and an executive session. Key discussion points involve the consideration and approval of meeting minutes from May and July 2025, committee reports, and the President's reports, including a legislative update. Department reports cover Allied Health Services, the Boarding Program, Business Services, Blind and Deaf Departments, Human Resources, Instructional Services, and Outreach, Parent Services and Technology Services. The strategic plan update and action items such as surplus property, the operating budget for 2025-26, attorney services, building names, internet safety policy, assessment calendar, student progression plan, salary plan, and professional learning catalog changes are also on the agenda. New business includes the election of officers and committee appointments. The meeting will also address unfinished business and board comments before adjournment.