The Charlotte County School Board will hold a public hearing on October 14 to review several district policies, including emergency management procedures, student cell phone use, and charter school regulations.
For a coastal community, emergency preparedness remains a priority. The hearing will focus on updates to the district’s emergency management policy, which outlines how schools respond to hurricanes and other threats. The proposed revisions aim to strengthen student safety protocols and clarify procedures for handling emergencies in Charlotte and Sarasota counties.
The board will also consider policies that affect students’ daily lives. Discussions will include a new policy on name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation for student-athletes, as well as updates to existing rules on wireless communication devices, student conduct, and discipline. Parents and students will have the opportunity to comment on these measures during the meeting.
In addition, the agenda includes a review of charter school regulations that shape school choice and funding across the district. The board will also recognize several educators and schools for their achievements. Superintendent Stephen Dionisio will receive the 2025 Charles Lee Swift Lifetime Achievement Award. Liberty, Vineland, and Sallie Jones Elementary schools, along with L.A. Ainger Middle School, will be honored as PBIS Model Schools.
The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, at the Murdock Center, 1445 Education Way in Port Charlotte. Citizens wishing to speak must sign up at the start of the meeting, and comments are limited to three minutes.
Following the public hearing, the board will review community feedback before considering final approval of the revised and new policies at future meetings.
