NewsLine staff
The Nassau County School Board held its regular meeting Aug. 13, ratifying two collective bargaining agreements, voting 4-1 to move toward a self-funded health insurance program, and hearing presentations on a proposed athletic training partnership with Baptist Health and a donation from Kaitlyn’s Ride for Autism. Shannon Hogue delivered the invocation and Lissa Braddock led the pledge.
Board votes 4-1 to move toward self-funded health insurance
The board voted 4-1 to shift the district’s health insurance program from a fully insured plan to a self-funded program through the Florida Education Health Trust, effective Jan. 1, 2027. Aaron Bryan, a benefits consultant working with the district, told the board the self-funded proposal was mapped using the same rates and plan structure as Florida Blue’s fully insured renewal offer, which carries a proposed 15% rate increase; he said the district’s claims are projected to come in at or below that renewal roughly three out of four times under the new structure, though he cautioned that isn’t guaranteed.
Vice Chairman Joe Zimmerman cast the lone dissenting vote, saying he had spoken with district staff, other Florida districts already using a self-funded model, and the consultants involved, but remained unconvinced the switch would provide the relief district staff need given the vendor’s limited track record. “I’m not convinced that there’s enough data to support … me taking my vote and possibly risking an increase for district staff right now,” Zimmerman said, adding he didn’t believe anyone involved in the process was at fault. Chairperson Gail Cook said she had followed the recommendation of the district’s insurance committee, made up of employees who use the plans, who support trying the new program despite the possibility of increases.
Baptist Health pitches countywide athletic training partnership
Tara-Beth Anderson, president of Baptist Health Nassau, and Mark Lewis, the hospital system’s orthopedics service line leader, presented the board with a proposal to partner on countywide athletic training services for student athletes, alongside the district’s existing program with the University of Florida. Anderson said Baptist Health has placed six orthopedic physicians in Nassau County over the past two years: Dennis Chen (total joint), Mark Floyd (sports medicine), Kevin Doulens and Steffano Mottl (non-operative sports medicine), and Robert Santrock (foot and ankle), with a hand and wrist surgeon starting in October. The hospital’s fiscal year 2028 budget planning is underway, and Anderson asked to begin conversations now about how Baptist Health could complement, not replace, the district’s UF partnership. She said the hospital is also open to helping address any gaps in the district’s current athletic training coverage sooner, ahead of the district’s next contract cycle. The board took no action on the proposal, which was presented for information only.
Kaitlyn’s Ride for Autism donates $2,000 to district programs
Mandy Connor, founder of Kaitlyn’s Ride for Autism, presented the district with $1,500 for the Nassau County ESE program and $500 to Hilliard Elementary School, which sold the most Kaitlyn’s Ride Autism Awareness T-shirts for the second consecutive year. Connor said this year’s 13th annual ride, held April 18, drew 108 golf carts and raised more than $60,000, and coincided with her daughter Kaitlyn’s high school graduation. Connor also thanked new ESE Director Tara Middleton for her help running the event.
Board ratifies teacher, support staff union contracts
The board voted unanimously to approve a new collective bargaining agreement with the Nassau Teachers Association for the 2026-2027 school year. Chris Pagel, the association’s president, said 638 of the union’s roughly 900 members voted, a 70% turnout, with 99% approving the contract. The board also voted unanimously to approve a new agreement with the Nassau Educational Support Personnel Association; NESPA President Miriam Phillips said the union recorded 491 yes votes and three no votes.
Board approves Magellan counseling agreement, other items
The board voted unanimously to approve a memorandum of understanding with Magellan Federal, continuing a federally funded program that provides two full-time counselors split between Wildlight and Yulee elementary schools to support military families, for a second year. The board also voted unanimously to advertise a Sept. 10 public hearing on a proposed revision to Administrative Rule 5.9, governing administration of medications by school personnel, and to relocate the district’s Sept. 10 board meeting from Yulee Elementary to the district office. An out-of-county travel request allowing CNA students to complete clinical training in Duval County was added to the consent agenda and approved.
Board schedules special budget meeting for Aug. 27
The board voted to schedule a special meeting for 6 p.m. Aug. 27 at the district office to finalize the district’s budget for the fiscal year ending June 2026, following discussion that shifted the date from an initially proposed Aug. 24 to accommodate a board member’s schedule. The meeting follows a previously advertised Aug. 24 budget workshop at 5 p.m., which remains scheduled as planned.
Superintendent, board members praise start of school year
Superintendent Kathy Burns told the board the district’s first week of classes went smoothly, crediting new traffic patterns at Yulee Elementary School and the opening of Hornets Drive through to State Road 200 near Yulee High School for easing congestion. Board members thanked district administrators, custodians and community volunteers for preparing campuses over the summer, and recognized Calvary Baptist and First Baptist churches for school supply and backpack donations. Board members also highlighted improvements to the Fernandina Beach High School football field and a well-received summer band camp.
Video and agenda of the Aug. 13 Nassau County School Board meeting is available at https://nassaucountysd.new.swagit.com/videos/396163
