District assessment: The Marion County School District has an extreme disconnect between curriculum and the information given to students on the state tests, according to Jonathan Grantham, deputy superintendent of curriculum. He also says that when the current administration took over in November, the school district was “disorganized and top heavy,” and there are plans to move employees at the district level into jobs that have a direct impact on students. Ocala Star Banner.
Not our party: The Palm Beach County School District is warning parents that a “Back 2 School Party” invitation circulating on social media is not a district-sanctioned event. The sexy invitation includes logos for several county high schools. Palm Beach Post. Sun-Sentinel.
School construction: Pasco County School Superintendent Kurt Browning says if the district is successful in getting the school impact fee for a new home raised to $10,000, a new middle school will be built on the east side of the county within four years. Gradebook.
Pons’ employment: Former Leon County School Superintendent Jackie Pons resigns a job with Florida State University as a business analyst that he started Dec. 12. Pons gave no reason for his resignation from the $50,000-a-year job, but the brief stint allows him to stay in the state’s Deferred Retirement Option Program until the end of February. Tallahassee Democrat.
Notable deaths: Jerry Smith, a teacher, assistant principal, superintendent and two-term school board member in the Lake County School District, has died at the age of 70 of heart failure. Orlando Sentinel.
Teacher arrested: A civics teacher at Avalon Middle School in Orlando is arrested and accused of soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct. Police say Andrew Montalvo asked a 16-year-old former student to send him nude photos, which she did. Montalvo is on paid leave during the investigation. Orlando Sentinel. WFTV.
Vandalism arrest: Three teenagers are arrested and accused of the vandalism at Riley Elementary School. Two boys, 14 and 15, and a 14-year-old girl are charged with burglary and criminal mischief with damage over $1,000, which are felonies. The damage at the school was estimated at $40,000. Tallahassee Democrat.
Pellet gun on school bus: A pellet gun is confiscated from a 13-year-old boy riding an Indian River County school bus. The boy was allowed to go to school, but authorities are considering juvenile charges against him. TCPalm.
Opinions on schools: By eliminating courtesy busing, the Hillsborough County School Board is moving backward on traffic congestion, and it could very likely be jeopardizing pedestrian safety for children. Stacy White, Tampa Bay Times. We appreciate that some people only want traditional public schools and that funding should be restricted to them, but we believe that charter schools offer more and can craft a unique educational experience for each of our children; one they may not be able to get where they currently are. Shannon Shupe, Florida Today. The way the state measures teacher performance is unfair and demoralizing. Jennifer Grida, Fort Myers News-Press. The Leon County School Board should immediately remove a policy that is the equivalent of “political self-patronage.” Tallahassee Democrat.
Student enrichment: Cat in the Hat re-enactor Connie Bettinger-Hennink has visited southwest Florida schools and libraries for 25 years to promote reading. Naples Daily News. The North Florida School of Special Education, which serves students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, launches a campaign to raise $6 million to expand. WJCT. Newly hired Florida Orchestra violinist Kristin Baird will work with music instructors in Pinellas County schools to teach violin instruction. The position is made available by a $700,000 grant from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. Tampa Bay Times. The group Quilters by the Sea provide quilts to 100 displaced children who are in the Guardian ad Litem program in Volusia and Flagler counties. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
