Florida schools roundup: Rick Scott, teacher conduct, superintendents & more

Teacher evals. Governing looks at whether teachers unions in other states will file suits similar to Florida’s.

florida roundup logoTeacher conduct. A veteran Broward County teacher is suspended for 13 days without pay for allowing an “overly permissive” classroom environment in which, among other things, she talked about her sex life. Her reassignment to a school for at-risk kids prompted a board member to ask, “How long are we going to continue to pay people to fail kids?” Miami Herald.

School spending.  Hernando projects a $4 million budget deficit, reports the Tampa Bay Times. Pinellas should be getting $37 million more next year, reports Gradebook. The Flagler school board considers cutting paraprofessionals in an effort to fill a budget gap, reports the Daytona Beach News Journal. Broward is considering outsourcing its facilities department, reports the Miami Herald. The Volusia school board votes to outsource custodial services for an estimated savings of $30 million over five years, reports the Daytona Beach News Journal. The Miami-Dade district auditor says a health care firm may have overbilled the district more than $1 million, the Herald also reports.

School choice. Pasco Superintendent Kurt Browning talks about expanding district choices. Tampa Tribune.

Rick Scott. The Republican Party of Florida unveils two ads supporting Gov. Rick Scott’s education record. StateImpact Florida.

Jeb Bush. The next Foundation for Excellence in Education summit will be in Boston in October. EdFly Blog.

Zeros. The Broward school board drops the idea of nixing zeros for grading purposes. South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Student discipline. Pinellas is setting up a special team to deal with chronically disruptive students, reports Gradebook. The Polk school board hasn’t decided what to do with Kiera Wilmot, a teen who ignited a chemical explosion on school grounds, was later arrested and has since spawned a massive online petition campaign in support of her, reports the Lakeland Ledger. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Superintendents. The St. Lucie school board names six finalists, reports TCPalm.com. The Polk school board will pick its new super next week, reports the Lakeland Ledger. A lawsuit between Clay Superintendent Charlie Van Zant Jr. and the school board has been settled, reports the Florida Times Union.

School boards. Hillsborough board member Candy Olson is stepping down, after 20 years, once her term ends next year. Tampa Bay Times.

Testing. A district investigation in Collier finds staff members at an elementary school didn’t act inappropriately with an FCAT prep test. Naples Daily News.


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BY Ron Matus

Ron Matus is director for policy and public affairs at Step Up for Students and a former editor of redefinED. He joined Step Up in February 2012 after 20 years in journalism, including eight years as an education reporter with the Tampa Bay Times (formerly the St. Petersburg Times). Ron can be reached at rmatus@stepupforstudents.org or (727) 451-9830. Follow him on Twitter @RonMatus1 and on facebook at facebook.com/redefinedonline.