School enrollment: State economists predict that public schools enrollment in Florida will be 2.82 million next year, down slightly from the July forecast of 2.83 million. They say that will help with the state’s budget problems, but they still expect lawmakers to have to deal with a $450 million shortfall. Last year’s gap was covered by the Legislature from the state budget, but House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, has said not to expect that to happen again next year. Naples Daily News.
Spending splurge: Over the past two years, Orange County School Board members have spent about $500,000 with little public oversight. Each of the eight members receives $40,000 a year to spend at his or her own discretion. It’s the only central Florida school district with such a fund. Board members say they use the money to pay for extras. Among the extras was $2,500 a board member spent for a school mural that depicts herself. Orlando Sentinel.
Teacher preparation: Many Florida colleges do a poor job of preparing prospective elementary school teachers to teach math, according to a study by the National Council on Teacher Quality. Most of the Florida colleges reviewed received an F grade in this category. Orlando Sentinel.
Administrator under fire: An investigation concludes a Broward County school administrator misused his position while carrying on an affair with a school district community liaison. The district’s Professional Standards Committee recommends that Israel Canales be fired. Canales, 54, is a manager of administrative support for the district. Canales says he will fight any move to fire him. Sun-Sentinel.
Teacher evaluations: Miami-Dade County teachers say it’s increasingly difficult to get a proper job evaluation. In some cases, they say, they are evaluated on test scores in subjects they don’t even teach, or on the test results on a fraction of their students. The statewide statistical model used for evaluations has been criticized since it was adopted in 2011. Miami Herald.
New lobbying rules: The Palm Beach County School Board is now requiring lobbyists to register with the district and declare all the clients they lobby for. The policy, which begins immediately, also forbids board members and district employees from lobbying for two years after they leave their district jobs. Palm Beach Post.
Lunchtime law: State Rep. Emily Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, files a bill that would forbid students in large school districts from leaving campus for lunch without written permission from a parent. Gradebook.
School impact fees: The Manatee County School Board will vote Tuesday on whether to raise the school impact fee next spring. Builders oppose the increase, but school board chairman Charlie Kennedy says, “We need this money now. We can’t wait.” He predicted the higher fees would bring in an extra $2 million in 2017. Bradenton Herald.
Teachers sound off: Gov. Rick Scott and Education Commissioner Pam Stewart get tips on recruiting and retaining teachers from a group of teachers at Jacksonville’s Reynolds Lane Elementary. Florida Times-Union. Florida Politics.
SpringBoard hearing: Many Hillsborough County teachers and students have complained about the SpringBoard teaching materials, and the school board will consider a change. But buying new math and English textbooks would cost about $11.8 million, compared to the $3.7 million for the SpringBoard worksheets. Gradebook.
Turnaround story: Anthony Lockhart left his job as principal at Delray Beach’s A-rated Atlantic High School in 2015 to take on the challenge of lifting up the F-rated Lake Shore Middle School in Belle Glade. 18 months later, Lake Shore is now a C-rated school with STEM and gifted programs. Palm Beach Post.
Human trafficking: The Orange County School District collaborates with the Florida Abolitionists to provide a shelter for victims of human trafficking, and is working to incorporate education on preventing human trafficking into schools. WFTV.
Charter school suit: A lawsuit is filed asking for city of Hollywood to rescind its variance that allows a charter school to stop maintaining its rooftop green space. The suit alleges the Ben Gamla Middle-High School was allowed to build a larger school than zoning allowed only after agreeing to provide the green space on the roof, and that it should now be allowed to stop maintaining it. Florida Bulldog.
Educator honored: Former Manatee County School Board chairman Bob Gause is honored by the Manatee Education Foundation for his “outstanding contribution” to the foundation. Bradenton Herald.
Youngest coach: At 19, Josh Watson is believed to be the youngest varsity boys basketball head coach in the state. Watson coaches at Odyssey Charter School in Palm Bay. Florida Today.
Teacher arrested: A Leon County teacher and football coach is arrested and accused of having sex with a student under 18 years old. Brad Casalvieri, 30, a science teacher at Leon High School, had a sexual relationship with a male students for six months. The district has suspended him without pay. Tallahassee Democrat. Associated Press.
Guns at school: A 13-year-old boy is arrested for bringing a loaded gun and a small amount of marijuana to Harllee Middle School in Manatee County. Bradenton Herald. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Opinions on schools: My children have thrived because of tax credit scholarships, and the teachers union lawsuit against school choice could hurt them and children like them. Heidi Gonzalez, Saintpetersblog. Creating a positive and supportive school climate is a key tenet of the Palm Beach County School District’s strategic plan. Through its work with Motivational Coaches of America, the district is helping students and schools to reach this critical goal. Superintendent Robert Avossa, Sun-Sentinel.
Student enrichment: Students in Palm Beach Gardens High Schools Future Business Leaders of America chapter help Santa deliver gifts to all 373 students at Lake Park Elementary School. Palm Beach Post. Atlantic High School junior Jackson Destine writes a rap song in honor of Math Nation, a free software program created at the University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning. Palm Beach Post. Students from Patricia J. Sullivan Elementary, many of them homeless, are treated to a performance from The Nutcracker by the Next Generation Ballet dancers. Tampa Bay Times. Lee County residents can buy license plates adorned with drawings by schoolchildren. Fort Myers News-Press. Sneads High School in Jackson County is one of 100 U.S. schools named a National Title I Distinguished School. Jackson County Floridan.
