Charter to private: After continually receiving “F” grades from the state, Escambia County’s A.A. Dixon charter school opens next month as a private school in a new location. Pensacola News Journal.
Budgets: A Manatee County school official calls the district’s budget process “excruciating” as board members begin to review a 17-page proposal. Bradenton Herald. More on Manatee’s budget, including indications that the board may lower the tax rate from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. The Pasco County School Board adopts a budget that includes a slight tax increase and $26 million in spending reductions. Tampa Bay Times. Broward County teachers will get raises in the district’s $3 billion budget proposal that includes a small tax increase. Sun Sentinel.
Dress codes: Two more Pinellas County schools join the list that want modified dress codes for students to put the emphasis on academics. Tampa Bay Times.
GPAs: The Pasco County School Board adopts a new formula for figuring grade point averages that includes courses taken online and in middle school. Tampa Bay Times.
Conduct: The Lee County school district investigation of former Chief Administrative Officer Alberto Rodriguez suggests he violated school board policy by misusing district phones, conducted personal business on school time and had an improper relationship with another district employee. Fort Myers News-Press. Another Lee County district investigation clears a teacher accused of striking a 10-year-old student with special needs. Fort Myers News-Press. A controversial community organizer accused of trying to extort nearly $1 million and financial favors from Palm Beach County school district officials asks for a new lawyer. Palm Beach Post.
Back to school: The Florida Retail Federation anticipates the state will buck the national trend, with shoppers here spending more for back-to-school supplies. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
TV class: A TV and film program at Pine Crest, a private school in Fort Lauderdale, now has its own $750,000 on-campus production studio where students will learn to report, produce and edit stories. Sun Sentinel.
Mentors: Leon County is looking for 500 new school mentors. Tallahassee Democrat.
Tony: Florida Education Commissioner Tony Bennett talks to Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers about Common Core, school grades and the role of organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters in education. TCPalm.
Summer school: A mobile media center bus provides books for Polk County students to keep them learning year-round. The Ledger.
On a mission: Jesuit High School students travel to South America on a journey to share their faith. Tampa Bay Times.
