School Board work session covers ads, health

The Sarasota County School Board members met for their monthly work session on Tuesday, May 15, to cover topics ranging from plans to allow advertising in schools to the health of employees.

The board rejected the conversation about allowing national firms to advertise on school busses, on the district website and on athletic fields. The six other school districts considering similar plans haven’t progressed with them, bringing little change to proposals for advertising in Sarasota.

The board did take action approving new rental rates for school facilities. The new rates, which are $53 per hour for any entity to rent an air-conditioned facility, correlated with utility use.

Sherri Reynolds, supervisor of county school’s Health Prevention Services, presented employee health statistics to the board showing among other surprising data that only 12% on school employees take advantage of free voluntary health screenings. The employee wellness plan will now include a $50 incentive for employees who visit a doctor for an annual checkup.

For an in depth look at yesterday’s School Board workshop and new rental fee schedule, pick up a copy of the May 17 copy of the Pelican Press.