Legal Services – Frank Upchurch, with Upchurch, Bailey and Upchurch will be retiring. St Johns County School District will need to obtain a new law firm to represent them. The district did a formal request for Proposal (RFP) and a number of firms entered a bid. The school board reviewed the list and eliminated Gray Robinson and Canan Law firm due to insufficient knowledge of education law and to their high retainer cost.
ESE growth within the district was a concern for related litigation demand and high expertise and capacity from legal counsel.
Experience Priority: Board members emphasized the need for deep, specialized school-law experience rather than training a newer attorney.
Current outsourcing – the district currently outsources ESE, Labor, and land/construction legal work to multiple specialized firms.
The board members narrowed down the search to two law firms that meet the above criteria: Sniffen and Harman and Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell.
The strengths for Sniffen and Harman which currently represent us in many ESE and labor (union negotiating) sessions. Terry Harmon and his assistants have extension knowledge with ESE and labor laws.
Rumberger Kirk and Caldwell have significant experience with labor and union matters representing many Florida districts.
The board members prefer consolidating ESE and employment services under one firm and potentially within a single retainer.
The board members request a clear understanding of what services are included in each firm’s retainer versus billed separately.
The board members select Sniffen and Harmon and Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell as finalist for further consideration.
Next steps: Both finalist firms will present and answer board questions at the October 27, 2026, workshop with staff providing requested comparison data beforehand.
School Board Chapter 8 rules: outlines the guidelines for School Internal Funds under the Florida Department of Education’s financial and reporting network.
Chapter 8 Revisions: Mr. Upchurch updated Chapter 8 rules to align fully with the new state DOE safety laws.
Chapter 5 Finance Rules: Mr. Upchurch submitted an initial draft of Chapter 5 finance rules to Cathy Weber (CFO) and will refine them for the board.
DOE Compliance Focus: Safety staff reviewed the rules to ensure full compliance with DOE school safety and security requirements.
Rule 8.04 – Emergency and Fire Drills: The board updated detailed drill procedures to match DOE requirements and current district practice. The rules defines fire, emergency and active assailant drills and authorizes the superintendent to issue implementing procedures,
Rule 8.06 – Family reunification Plan – The district created a new rule requiring plans for reuniting students and staff with families after disasters.
Rule 8.37 – Safety and Security Best Practices – The board updated the existing rule to reflect violence-prevention policies and DOE safety requirements.
Supplemental Law Enforcement Guidelines: Principals must consider crowd size, staffing ratios and risk factors when requesting extra law enforcement at events.
Rule 8.08 – Threat Assessment Teams – The board revised threat assessment rules originally adopted in 2018 after Parkland shooting to strengthen team effectiveness. Each threat assessment team must include at least one member personally familiar with the person being assessed. Teams will add an instructional or administrative staff member who knows the subject if no standing member does.
Threat Reporting Guidance – New language directs the safety specialist to issue guidance on how staff and community should report threatening behavior. The guidance aims to ensure employees know how and where to report urgent or serious threats.
Districtwide Threat Training – The district conducts pre-year administrator trainings and a two-hour pre-planning block on threat management and reunification.
Lockdown Initiation Policy – Any person on campus may initiate a lockdown and staff receive training on threat identification and reporting,
Rule Development Process – A safety committee led by Mr. Abbatinozzi and cabinet reviewed the rules before board consideration. Approved rules will go on the agenda for publication likely for the November or December Board meeting.
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