by Tracy McCormick-Dishman
The Nassau County School Board approved its fiscal year 2025-26 budget Tuesday night, but not before reducing the capital improvement millage from the advertised rate following discussions about balancing athletic facility improvements across the district.
During a workshop meeting Monday evening, board members expressed concerns about the scope and timing of proposed capital projects, particularly athletic venues that totaled approximately $17 million across all schools. The original four-year athletic venue plan had been estimated at around $8 million, leading to questions about project prioritization.
“The challenge has been, and I understand you want every community to have something, and you want to be able to start these projects because typically everybody’s concerned about their backyard,” Superintendent Dr. Kathy Burns said during Monday’s workshop.
Board member Kristi Simpkins raised concerns about the project timeline, noting that some facilities appeared to require simultaneous construction. For Fernandina Beach High School’s track and field renovations, facilities director confirmed that expanding the track would require moving bleachers, redoing concession stands and field work to be completed together.
“It has to be simultaneous, yes,” the facilities director said when asked about the Fernandina Beach project components.
The board ultimately decided to reduce the capital improvement millage from the advertised 1.5 mills to 1.4 mills, representing a 0.1 mill reduction. Board member Joe Zimmerman expressed interest in seeing the larger reduction options that had been presented.
The final budget totals $333,439,034.29, reflecting the millage reduction. The board approved several millage rates during Tuesday’s special meeting:
Required local effort: 3.043 mills
Discretionary millage: 0.748 mills
Capital improvement millage: 1.4 mills (reduced from advertised 1.5 mills)
Voted additional operating millage: 1.0 mill
Finance Director Ellen Harper explained the rollback rate process, noting the district’s rollback rate of 5.949 mills. The approved rate of 6.291 mills represents a 5.75% increase from the rollback rate but remains below last year’s rate of 6.329 mills.
The reduction primarily affects capital projects, though specific project cuts were not detailed during the meeting. Burns indicated that moving excess capital dollars to fund future school construction would be preferable to cutting individual community projects.
“John Ford cautioned us, you all know, before because we take all excess dollars in capital, move them to … our future new school,” Burns said, referencing the district’s financial consultant.
During the workshop, board members also discussed other business items, including dual enrollment agreements with Florida State College at Jacksonville and updated student progression plans. Burns clarified recent state changes to graduation requirements, explaining that certificates of completion have been replaced with “notice of non-graduation” for students not meeting diploma requirements.
The board also addressed concerns about e-bike safety policies after receiving multiple parent complaints about student riders in car lines and around campus. Board members expressed interest in implementing safety courses and campus riding restrictions similar to other districts.
Several capital projects remain on the approved list, including the $12 million Yulee Middle School cafeteria remodel and various athletic facility improvements. The facilities director acknowledged that the capital project list is “very aggressive” and “extensive.”
The budget approval comes as the district faces a potential charter school application that could impact future capital funding. Burns noted that while the initial application was submitted on incorrect forms, the applicants plan to resubmit with a goal of opening in 2027.
The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for this evening at 6 p.m. at Hilliard Middle Senior High School, with public comment beginning at 5:30 p.m. An executive session will follow the regular meeting.
tdishman@nassaunewsline.net
