Trump-related rhetoric: A Wesley Chapel High School teacher is placed on leave after approaching a small group of black students in a hallway, asking them what they were doing and then telling them “Don’t make me call Donald Trump to get you sent back to Africa.” John Sousa, who is also the golf coach, reportedly apologized to one of the students’ parents. Many similar incidents are being reported in schools across the country, according to the website The 74. Tampa Bay Times.
Students protest Trump: About 25 students from Palmetto High School hold a peaceful protest against the election of Donald Trump as president. The chanting and sign-waving occurred during a break between classes. Miami Herald.
Election-related incidents: A student carrying a Donald Trump sign at Bayside High School is attacked and beaten by another student Wednesday. The 17-year-old attacker is arrested and charged with felony battery and more. Florida Today. Racist graffiti invoking the name of President-elect Donald Trump is painted on a bathroom wall at Oviedo High School. Orlando Sentinel. An Arnold High School teacher hangs an American flag upside down after the election, which is typically a signal that someone is in danger or distress. It was righted after a parent complained. Panama City News Herald.
Learning system concerns: Some parents and teachers say a computer learning system now being used in the Palm Beach County School District is adding to testing overload for students. The program, i-Ready, diagnoses students’ problems with math and ready and gives them personalized lessons that help them catch up, but it also includes frequent testing. The program is used in 40 of Florida’s 67 school districts. Sun-Sentinel.
School elections: The Hillsborough supervisor of elections postpones a meeting until today to count outstanding ballots for the school board race between Lynn Gray and Cathy James. Gray leads by 0.225 percent of the vote, but there are provisional and mail-in ballots that have yet to be counted. If the difference between the candidates is less than a half-percent after those ballots are counted, a recount is required. Gradebook. Rocky Hanna, the newly elected Leon County school superintendent, says he won’t make any immediate personnel changes. WFSU.
Dress code: About 60 percent of people surveyed disliked the idea of a new dress code at Pasco County’s Ridgewood High School. The recently released results showed 2,157 people responding, with more than 1,300 opposed and just over 700 in favor. The strict new code, which has drawn student protests, was put in place by principal Angie Murphy. Parents say they will protest the dress code at the next school board meeting Tuesday. Gradebook.
Rezoning proposal: The rezoning proposal that will shuffle 372 students from seven schools to relieve overcrowding at Calusa Elementary School now heads to community meetings for input. Palm Beach Post.
Impact fee increase: Sarasota County commissioners vote to increase the impact fee on new construction for the first time in almost a decade. Part of the increased fee will go to the school system. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Intersection request: The St. Johns County School District is pushing the state to expedite the installation of a traffic light at an intersection near Nease High School. Monday, two students were critically injured when they tried to turn at the intersection. The state plans to add a light, but not until 2018. WJAX.
Personnel changes: New Marion County School Superintendent Heidi Maier selects two deputy superintendents from outside the school district. Jonathan Grantham, a Hillsborough County principal, will handle curriculum. Craig Ham, a former Marion educator and union representative, will direct operations. Ocala Star Banner.
Teacher arrested: Corey D. Gaddy, 38, a special education teacher at the Deane Bozeman Learning Center, is arrested and accused of stealing 27 pills prescribed to students. Panama City News Herald.
Bus driver arrested: An Escambia County school bus driver is arrested after allegedly hitting a student several times with a hammer. Jimmy Edwards, 55, also made the student get off the bus and walk home. A bus monitor, 54-year-old Pamela Bethea, was also arrested for not reporting the incident. Pensacola News Journal.
Opinions on schools: A record number of Alachua County voters approved the renewal of the One Mill for Schools. And while the One Mill itself will last four years, the impact of that vote on our schools and students will last much, much longer. Sandy Hollinger and Eileen Roy, Gainesville Sun. The opportunity to share our military service with students through the unique Veterans in the Classroom program in Marion County should be modeled in other school districts. John Rose, Ocala Star Banner.
Student enrichment: Robert “Dr. Bob” Woodruff, a 17-year-old Plantation High School senior who is blind and autistic, is elected homecoming king. Sun-Sentinel. Manatee County school employees donate 500 food items to Church of the Cross to help feed the hungry. In return, the church sends four boxes of stuffed animals to the school district that can be holiday gifts for students who otherwise might not get one. Bradenton Herald. New Advanced Placement courses are now offered at North Bay Haven, one of just two schools in the Panhandle offering the classes. Panama City News Herald.
