K-12 budget: The Florida Senate Education Appropriations Committee proposes raising the K-12 education budget by $650 million, to $20.3 billion, which is about $150 million more than Gov. Rick Scott requested. The proposal would increase per-student funding from $7,107 to $7,249. Still to be determined is how much of the money comes from local property taxes. Miami Herald. Politico Florida. News Service of Florida.
School recess: A Florida House education subcommittee unanimously passes a bill that requires 20 minutes of recess a day in the state’s elementary schools, in addition to the required physical education instruction. The bill does not allow recess to be withheld for disciplinary reasons. Orlando Sentinel. Miami Herald. Politico Florida. Lakeland Ledger. Pinellas County School Superintendent Mike Grego says starting in August, every county elementary school will have 20 minutes of recess daily, or at least on days when students don’t have physical education. Tampa Bay Times.
Prayer dispute: The Liberty Institute, a law firm that specializes in religious liberty issues, is representing Cambridge Christian of Tampa in a dispute with the Florida High School Athletic Association over praying before a football game against University Christian School in December. The Liberty Institute has demanded a written apology from the FHSAA for what it calls a “gross violation” of the law by prohibiting the schools from saying a prayer over the public address system. The FHSAA has 30 days to respond. If it doesn’t, the school says it will take the issue to federal court. Fox News. Tampa Tribune. Tampa Bay Times.
School uniforms: After hearing objections from dozens of parents, the Volusia County School Board delays a vote on requiring school uniforms for all K-12 students. The board did make one change to the proposal by adding jeans to the list of acceptable clothing. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Testing alternatives: Three states are finding that using alternatives – such as the SAT or ACT – to state assessment exams is more acceptable, but still prone to inducing reform fatigue. Florida’s Legislature is considering a bill that would allow the use of such alternatives to the Florida Standards Assessments. Politico Florida.
Retiree restrictions: Retired teachers who return to the classroom would have to work on one-year contracts, according to a bill passed by a Florida Senate committee. Gradebook.
Later start times: The Leon County School Board agrees to vote on pushing high school start times back to at least 8:30 a.m. Tallahassee Democrat.
Hospitalized students: A bill that would streamline education for children who are hospitalized or homebound gets a vote in the Florida House today. Advocates say a lack of minimal requirements on the time it takes to set up a plan and the payment for instruction makes it difficult to coordinate existing programs. Tampa Bay Times.
School rezonings: Hundreds of Orange County students will be rezoned to ease overcrowding and add students to new schools. Orlando Sentinel. Broward School Superintendent Robert Runcie recommends the school board reject two controversial rezoning proposals. Public hearings are set Feb. 24 and March 9. Sun-Sentinel.
School therapy: Therapists have been placed in 12 Duval County schools as part of a pilot program called Full Service Schools Plus. The goal is to give students greater access to mental-health services. Florida Times-Union.
School impact fees: The Sarasota County Commission agrees to a school board request to increase the school impact fees on multifamily residences and mobile homes. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Gun safety letter: Kernan Trail Elementary School in Jacksonville sends a letter to parents asking if their children may attend a gun safety program. WJAX.
Religion and district: Hillsborough County School Superintendent Jeff Eakins says the district is re-evaluating its relationship with religious organizations. Tampa Bay Times.
Chicken pox outbreak: Eight students at Plumb Elementary School in Clearwater have contracted chicken pox, and Pinellas County health officials are urging any unvaccinated students to stay away from school for three weeks. Tampa Bay Times.
Sex assault lawsuit: A former student at Seminole Ridge High School is suing the Palm Beach County School Board, saying she was sexually assaulted in a school bathroom in 2012 and the district took no action against the attacker. Palm Beach Post.
Superintendent’s contract: Lori Romano signs a four-year contract to remain superintendent of Hernando County schools. The deal bumps her pay from $120,000 to $140,000, with $5,000 increases in each of the next three years. Tampa Bay Times.
New school site: The Lee County School Board gets an update today on two sites being considered for a new Bonita Springs High School. Fort Myers News-Press.
Finances better: The Manatee County School District has a 4.1 percent budget surplus, according to an audit. Until two years ago, the district posted budget deficits for five years. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
School improvement plans: Lake County School Board members say several school improvement plans are too vague and unrealistic. Daily Commercial.
Teacher suspended: A Marion County teacher is suspended 20 days without pay for allegedly completing a state test for at least one of her four disabled students at Maplewood Elementary School. She denies the charge. Ocala Star Banner.
Seeking employment: The Manatee County School Board agrees to consider re-employing a former investigator at Manatee High School. Debra Horne was charged with failing to report child abuse in the case of Rod Frazier, a former assistant football coach. The charge was dropped after she completed a program for first-time offenders. Bradenton Herald.
School bus hits child: An Alachua County school bus hits a 7-year-old boy riding his bike. The boy is hospitalized in serious condition, and the Florida Highway Patrol says charges are pending against the driver. Gainesville Sun.
Opinions on schools: Should taxpayer money be used to find private schools or religious education that are completely unregulated? Eileen Roy, Gainesville Sun. The Legislature has no business taking control of local issues, such as the approval and oversight of charter schools. St. Augustine Record. Computer coding and foreign languages are not equivalents. But that false comparison is simply a distraction from the conversation we ought to be having about what we want our children to learn. Paul Cottle, Bridge to Tomorrow.
Student enrichment: Ann Scott, wife of the governor, kicks off Florida’s literacy week at Strawberry Crest High School in Dover. Tampa Tribune. The Amy Winehouse Foundation pledges a donation to the Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation in West Palm Beach. Palm Beach Post. Palm Beach County schools lead the state in the number of industry certifications awarded to students. Palm Beach Post. Collier County school officials are raising money to help launch students’ ideas into businesses. Naples Daily News. Bagdad Elementary School builds a mailbox-like Little Free Library for Literacy Week so books can be exchanged between the community and the school. Northwest Florida Daily News.
