Pursuant to F.S. 1006.40, the School Board of Highlands County intends to purchase instructional materials for Science (secondary and elementary) that align with state standards and are included on the state-adopted list. Following committee review and the selection of instructional materials by the Superintendent, the student editions of the recommended instructional materials will be made accessible for viewing online by the public for at least 20 calendar days before the school board hearing to receive public comment on the materials and the public meeting to consider approval of the materials to be purchased.

Committee meetings have been publicly noticed and scheduled as follows:

• Committee Meeting 1 - Overview, Rubric review

  • Elementary – 1/16/25

  • Secondary – 1/15/25

• Committee Meeting 2 - Rubric training, Publisher video viewing

  • Elementary – 1/30/25

  • Secondary – 1/29/25

• Committee Meeting 3 - Final discussion, Submit completed rubric

  • Elementary – 2/25/25

  • Secondary – 2/24/25

The student editions of the recommended instructional materials will be made accessible beginning March 4,2025 online at http://www2.highlands.k12.fl.us/2025sciencereview

It is anticipated that the hearing to receive public comment will be held on March 25,2025 at 5:30 PM, or as soon thereafter as possible, at George Douglass Administration Building – Board Room, 426 School Street, Sebring, Florida 33870.

It is anticipated that the public meeting to consider approval of materials that will be purchased will be held on April 8, 2025, at 5:30 PM or as soon thereafter as possible, at George Douglass Administration Building – Board Room, 426 School Street, Sebring, Florida 33870.

To arrange an in-person review of instructional materials or for questions, please email Amanda Fernandez at fernanda@highlands.k12.fl.us (Elementary) or Heather Goodwin at goodwinh@highlands.k12.fl.us (Secondary), or call (863) 471-5555 and request either at her respective extension.