Lazaro Aleman
ECB Publishing, Inc.
With Somerset’s contract with the Jefferson County School District set to expire in July 2022, the school board is growing anxious to begin preparing for the transition, expecting that it will be a long and trying process.
At the least, the school board wants assurance that Somerset intends to abide by the terms of the contract and doesn’t have plans to extend its presence here.
At the behest of Member Shirley Washington, the Jefferson County School Board on Tuesday evening, June 15, agreed to forward to Somerset a letter that Washington had composed and had one of her co-members read to the board at the meeting.
Washington informed the board that she had written the letter because she was tired of hearing only rumors and hearsay about Somerset’s intention.
The letter notes that the school board has had ample opportunity to reflect on past practices, evaluate current experiences and consider possible solutions to address the academic, social and emotional needs of the district’s scholars and families.
The school board has also, the letter states, learned much during the period that the district’s schools have been operated by the Florida Department of Education and Somerset.
It expresses the expectation that upon completion of the current contract in July 2022, that the school board will be able to assume direct governance of the schools’ operation.
“We request that Somerset submit to the Jefferson County School Board a written letter of their intent by June 30, 2021, so that we can begin to plan accordingly,” the letter states. “This will help to eliminate any rumors or uncertainties that may exist regarding Somerset’s continued expectations.”
The letter goes on to state the need for immediate action to begin developing a transition plan to effect a smooth and efficient transfer of the schools back to the Jefferson County School District.
The letter goes on to call for collaboration and transparency so that everyone is fully informed of what is happening, including the broader community.
“This is the single most important item we can focus our attention and energy during this time,” the later concludes.
The school board has been agitating for months now to get the preparations going for a smooth transition. They have as often expressed frustration that Somerset is either dragging its feet or being uncooperative. The letter is intended to galvanize the Somerset administration into action.
Attorney Thomas Reeves advised the board that its action was appropriate.
“I don’t think there is any problem to ask Somerset for a letter of intent,” Reeves said, reminding the board at the same time that the threat of revocation of the contract was the hammer that the board held over Somerset. Implying that once that hammer was removed, the board might not have the same leverage.