Bathroom fights: The Duval County School District, the school board and Superintendent Nikolai Vitti are being sued over the district’s policy that permits children to use the bathrooms that conform to their gender identity. The suit was filed by Wes White, a Republican running for state attorney, on behalf of Wryshona Isaac and her four children. The suit says the policy “denies her children a safe and supportive environment.” Florida Times-Union. Florida Politics. Washington and Holmes counties school officials say they will not follow the Obama administration directive urging districts to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms that conform to their gender identity. Panama City News Herald. The Collier County School Board is asking for input from the community to help set a bathroom policy for transgender students. All board members say the letter from the U.S. government was an “overreach.” Naples Daily News.
Charters on notice: The Pinellas County School Board votes unanimously to cancel contracts with three Newpoint Education Partners charter schools in 90 days unless several financial and curriculum problems are corrected. Another charter school, Florida Virtual Academy, also was given notice because it has not met the requirements of a corrective action plan. The four schools have almost 1,000 students and collect $6 million in public money. Tampa Bay Times. WFLA.
School resegregation: The number of U.S. public schools that were both poor and racially segregated jumped from 7,009 in 2001 to 15,089 by 2013-2014, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office. Los Angeles Times. Education Week.
Girls rule: For the first time, girls outscore boys on the National Assessment of Educational Progress national test of technology and engineering literacy among eighth-graders. Washington Post. THE Journal.
Flag controversy: State NAACP officials are again urging the Indian River County School District to ban the Confederate flag on school grounds for anything other than educational purposes. TCPalm.
High school land deal: Lee County School Superintendent Greg Adkins says canceling the purchase of 76 acres for a high school in Bonita Springs doesn’t necessarily mean the property has been dropped from consideration. Adkins says the deal was canceled because the district wanted more then seven days to investigate the diesel fuel spill that was discovered. Fort Myers News-Press. Naples Daily News.
Inspector general: The Broward County School Board asks the district staff to look into hiring an inspector general to oversee spending. The district has had several financial problems recently, and soon will be spending $800 million of voter-approved money on various construction projects. Superintendent Robert Runcie says a plan for “an extra set of eyes” will be presented to the board this summer. Sun-Sentinel.
School security: The Orange County School District is tightening access to school buildings after an audit shows that thousands of people who shouldn’t have access could get into schools. Orlando Sentinel.
Satellite offices closing: As part of a staff reorganization, Brevard school officials are closing three area superintendent offices and relocating many of the workers in those offices to the Viera headquarters. Florida Today.
Unionization efforts: Calhoun County teachers narrowly approve union representation, according to the Florida Education Association, becoming the last county in the state to do so. The vote was 61 in favor, 55 opposed. Gradebook. School bus drivers in Santa Rosa County win a court fight to unionize against the British company that employs them to drive for the district. Pensacola News Journal.
Contract vote: The Volusia County School Board will vote tonight at an impasse hearing between teachers and the district. The teachers want a pay raise, and the district says it can’t afford it. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Sales tax hike: The Palm Beach County Commission approves the final wording for a sales tax increase that would go to voters Nov. 8. If the tax is passed, half of the proceeds – about $1.35 billion – would go to the school district. The proposal now needs to be approved by cities accounting for at least half of the total population of the county. Palm Beach Post.
Defining capacity: A new law will allow students to transfer into any public school that has the room to take them, starting in the 2017-2018 school year. School districts were given the authority to decide what capacity means for their schools. But some lawmakers now say they want to strictly define capacity and add it to the law. Politico Florida.
Impact of exams: The Polk County School District is reducing the weight of exams from 30 percent to 15 percent of the course grade for high school students. Lakeland Ledger.
Religion in schools: A Christian ministry must undergo training before being allowed back in Hillsborough County schools. Huddle Touch was the subject of a complaint from the American Civil Liberties Union. The district’s training has these messages: Adult volunteers must keep their contributions secular, and faith-based, student-led organizations must truly be student-led, and not dominated by adults. Gradebook.
Feedback signs: “Driver feedback signs” are being installed this week outside Manatee Elementary School. Parents and school officials were worried about speeding on State Road 64 in front of the school. Bradenton Herald.
Boost from STEAM: A year after it was launched, a program for science, technology, engineering, arts and math has transformed the Santa Rosa School District, says Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick. The programs were started in the district’s elementary schools and two of its middle schools. Pensacola News Journal.
Board member leaving: Duval County School Board member Constance Hall, who has been at the center of several skirmishes with Superintendent Nikolai Vitti, says she will not run for another term. She says her wish to spend more time with her family is behind the decision. She’s been on the board since 2012. Florida Times-Union.
Superintendent race: Clay County exceptional education teachers say School Superintendent Charlie Van Sant Jr. is lobbying them for support in his re-election bid. Florida Times-Union.
Superintendent’s Q&A: Polk County School Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd answers questions about transgender students, charter schools, failing schools, top issues facing the district and more at a Tiger Bay Club appearance. Lakeland Ledger.
Superintendent search: The next Sarasota County school superintendent should respect staff input and recognize the importance of community partnerships. Those are the conclusions of feedback from school board members and the community to a search firm. Current Superintendent Lori White is retiring in February. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Notable deaths: Gene Campbell, a teacher, assistant principal and state legislator who championed education causes, has died at age 77 in Royal Palm Beach. Palm Beach Post.
Teacher arrested: A foreign language teacher at Northeast High School in St. Petersburg is arrested and charged with driving under the influence with serious bodily injury. Alexandra Basey, 50, had a blood alcohol level of 0.283 when her car hit a bicyclist. The bicyclist suffered two broken ankles and a shattered pelvis. Tampa Bay Times.
Student slashed: A 15-year-old is arrested for allegedly slashing an 18-year-old during a fight in a bathroom at Westland Hialeah High School. The injuries are not life-threatening. Miami Herald.
Opinions on schools: Let’s not forget about “play” while we’re pushing our children to the rat race starting gate. Troy Moon, Pensacola News Journal. The strongman in the White House prefers to skirt the collaborative process and strong-arm people like Polk County School Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd and her constituents to accept his world view or else. Lakeland Ledger. I wish Alachua County School Superintendent Owen Roberts had cited his sources properly in his book, but when I weigh that against all that he has done for our kids in less than two years, it is an easy decision for me to support him. Will Frazer, Gainesville Sun. Justice demands that Alachua County School Superintendent Owen Roberts make reparations for his plagiarism. Robert B. Gentry, Gainesville Sun.
Student enrichment: Several fishing organizations are partnering to distribute grants to Florida high school fishing teams and clubs. Santa Rosa Press Gazette. Clifford the Big Red Dog visits Coral Park Elementary School to talk about the importance of pet care. Miami Herald. The Polk County School District honors its volunteers. Lakeland Ledger. Santa Rosa County’s Students Achieving Independent Learning program is helping dropouts and students with behavior issues get a second chance at completing their high school education. Pensacola News Journal. As part of a civic lesson, New Path Academy students fire questions about abortion, term limits, testing and more at Manatee County political candidates. Bradenton Herald. Students at the Professional Academies Magnet at Loften High School use radio waves to contact and chat with people across the world. Gainesville Sun. Judy Mills wins the Marion County school volunteer of the year award for her work at Ward-Highlands Elementary School. Ocala Star Banner. Fairmount Park Elementary School and University of South Florida St. Petersburg students team up for a canoe ride to explore Tampa Bay. WUSF.
