News

School Start Times for 2026-27

April 27, 2026

In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed legislation that would have required all public and public-affiliated charter schools to establish school starting times for middle and high school students to no earlier than 8:00 and 8:30 AM, respectively.  F.S. 1001.42(4)(f)2 was passed with strong objection by all school districts in the state of Florida and without any consultation with those districts.  After two years of negotiations and data that showed this law would have an adverse economic effect on districts, and in many cases parents, Senate Bill 296 was introduced and passed in both houses and signed into law by Governor Desantis in the late spring of 2025.  This bill is provided for a State Board of Education Rule 6A-1.0455 which addresses middle and high school start times.  This bill did not delete the previously passed F.S. 1001.42(4)(f)2 but provided for a waiver method for that statute and state board rules established around it.  The final state board rule and waiver method were finalized in March of 2026.

 

Holmes District Schools and neighboring districts are currently in the process of executing that waiver process.  Holmes District Schools will maintain the traditional start times that have been in effect for several years.  The survey that was released noted this disclaimer. By law we are required to conduct or gather input from the public as to their desire for school start times and that is the purpose of our survey.  Through social media there seems to be an overwhelming desire to keep our traditional start times.  Holmes District Schools are in full agreement with this.

 

There are no plans to change school starting times for the 2026-27 school year.  We are simply trying to follow the statutory requirements of the law.

 

 

Buddy L. Brown
Superintendent of School

School Board Meeting Rescheduled

February 23, 2026

The regular School Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2026 has been RESCHEDULED for Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

2026-27 School Calendars

January 28, 2026

The School Board has approved the 2026-27 school calendars.  Click the links below for printable versions.

Winter Weather Statement

January 26, 2026

Holmes County School District continues to monitor the weather closely.  While the temperatures are forecasted to drop into the mid-20s on Tuesday and below freezing temperatures the following night, there is currently no precipitation associated with this episode.
 
At this time, school and all regularly scheduled activities will continue as planned for this week.
 
We will continue to monitor conditions throughout the week in anticipation of the possibility of an additional front moving through our area next weekend.
 
As always, if you chose to keep your child home today, please send a parent note and your child’s absence will be excused.  This will also apply for Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
 
Please take care to stay safe and warm during this extreme winter weather.

Public Hearing--Policy & Procedure for Public Participation During School Board Meetings

November 21, 2025

The Holmes County School Board will be adopting and revising school board policy and procedure for public participation during school board meetings, at the regular school board meeting on January 13, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. A hearing for the public to provide input on proposed changes will be held at 5:05 p.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026 at the Holmes County School Board Office. A copy of the policy to be adopted or revised may be reviewed at the Holmes County School Board Office Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., except advertised holidays.

 

Public Hearing--School Board Policy Updates

November 19, 2025

The Holmes County School Board will be adopting and revising school board policies, at the regular school board meeting on December 9th, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. A hearing for the public to provide input on proposed changes will be held at 5:05 p.m. on Monday, December 8th, 2025 at the Holmes County School Board Office. A copy of the policies to be adopted or revised may be reviewed at the Holmes County School Board Office Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., except advertised holidays.
 

Disability History And Awareness Weeks

September 29, 2025

The first two weeks of October are Disability History and Awareness Weeks. Section 1003.4205, Florida Statutes, entitled Disability History and Awareness Instruction, was signed into law in 2008. It requires school districts to designate the first two weeks of October as Disability History and Awareness Weeks and also promotes providing instruction for students in all public schools to expand student knowledge, understanding, and awareness of individuals with disabilities, disability history, and the disability rights movement.

One of every four Americans has a disability.  A person may be born with a disability, may acquire a disability through an accident or illness, or may acquire a disability simply as a part of growing older. Despite the fact that disability is a natural part of life, people with disabilities have not always had access to equal opportunities. Not until 1975, with the passage of the Federal Education for All Handicapped Children Act (now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), did school-aged children with disabilities have a right to a free appropriate public education.

We are proud to participate in promoting awareness of disability history and the contributions of individuals with disabilities and to designate the first two weeks in October for Disability History and Awareness.  

For more information, you can visit the Florida Department of Education's website at www.fldoe.org/academics/exceptional-student-edu/parent-info/disability-history-awareness.stml

« First < Prev Next > Last »