Florida schools roundup: Spending, graduation, leasing a school and more

florida-roundup-logoEducation spending: Gov. Rick Scott releases his proposed budget today, which calls for an increase in the state’s Bright Futures program but doesn’t account for enrollment growth in schools or provide an answer to the House’s plan to trim property taxes, which could cut funding for schools. News Service of Florida. Orlando Sentinel. Politico Florida.

Alternate graduation path: Florida Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, files a bill creating alternative paths to high school graduation for students who don’t pass state-required algebra and language arts tests. Unlike the House’s version of this bill, Montford’s does not allow state students to skip the exams and still have options for graduation. Gradebook.

District considering leasing: The Palm Beach County School Board is considering a proposal to have a developer build a high school that the district would then lease. “We can’t build. We don’t have the money,” said school board member Karen Brill. “This would be the answer to the prayers of many young families in west Boynton Beach.” The district will receive $1.6 billion from a sales tax initiative approved in November, but that money is committed to repairing existing schools, upgrading technology and buying school buses. Palm Beach PostSun-Sentinel.

Employees honored: Michelle Bily, a fourth-grade teacher at Lakeside Elementary School in Orange Park, is named Clay County School District teacher of the year. Robert Garcia, a groundskeeper at Orange Park High School, is the district’s school-related employee of the year. Florida Times-Union. Pasco County’s Margaret Polk is named Florida school nurse of the year by the Florida Association of School Nurses. Tampa Bay Times.

Rezoning fight: Parents in east Pasco County, like those on the west side, are challenging the school board’s recently approved school attendance zones. They have filed a complaint with the Division of Administrative Hearings, alleging the board didn’t follow the state’s statutory requirements when it considered the rezoning proposals. Gradebook.

Overcrowding coming: Lake County school officials are told that 17 of the district’s schools will be over maximum capacity by 2022. A consultant projects almost 1,400 more students for the district in the next five years. Daily Commercial.

Spending concerns: An internal audit shows that Orange County School District employees with district-issued Visa cards spent $7,724 on inappropriate purchases. Purchasing cards are issued to 482 employees who made 27,659 transactions in 2016 totaling $4.5 million. District attorney Woody Rodriguez said there was no widespread abuse, but the district could tighten its record-keeping. Orlando Sentinel.

School gas theft: Police are searching for two people who are accused of stealing $513,000 worth of gasoline from the Palm Beach County School District. Palm Beach Post.

Charter system finances: The Cape Coral Charter School System will be in the red by 2021, according to an assessment by the city staff. But some city council members dispute the findings, which will be discussed in greater detail at a Feb. 27 meeting. Fort Myers News-Press.

Charter school sued: Two former administrators file a federal lawsuit against Bay Haven Charter Academy Inc., alleging gender discrimination and retaliation. North Bay Haven Middle/High School’s ex-principal Michelle Gainer and former assistant principal Erin Harper were placed on leave after they were accused of violating an agreement to drop sexual harassment charges against the former Bay Haven CEO, Tim Kitts, if he resigned. Panama City News Herald.

FHSAA director: Four finalists are named for the job of executive director of the Florida High School Athletic Association. Lakeland Ledger.

Teacher arrested: A physics teacher at Lyman High School is arrested and accused of assaulting a student. Longwood police say Wilbert DelaCruz, 38, faces a charge of child abuse without great bodily harm after he allegedly put a student in a headlock and dragged him down some stairs. Orlando Sentinel.

Students arrested: A 13-year-old Mandarin Middle School student is arrested after injuring a dean who was trying to break up her fight. Florida Times-Union. A senior at Palm Beach Lake High School is arrested for bringing a handgun to school. Palm Beach Post.

Custodian questioned: A custodian at Venice High School is questioned after allegedly making threatening comments toward his colleagues. He was not arrested, and later apologized. He was placed on administrative leave. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

No charges: No charges will be filed in two recent gun-related incidents at Franklin High School. In one, a man picking up his granddaughter accidentally discharged a rifle as he moved it in his car. In the other, a student had a hunting rifle in his truck, which was parked in the school lot. Panama City News Herald.

Opinions on schools: How a bare-bones grade of 66 signifies any remote understanding of American history befuddles me. But then again, I don’t have the advantage of being a highfalutin executive director of assessment, accountability and research. Daniel Ruth, Tampa Bay Times. We are seeing many educational changes driven by academics who want to leave an imprint on our school systems, but mandating bilingual education is a step backward toward a less-cohesive society. Frank Warren, Orlando Sentinel.

Student enrichment: The Santa Rosa County School District is holding a three-day symposium to show off the district’s approach to teaching science, technology, the arts, math and technology (STEAM). Pensacola News Journal. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam urges students to enter the state’s Fresh from Florida Student Chef Contest. The goal of the contest is to educate students on ways to prepare healthy meals. Associated Press. North Fort Myers High School’s JROTC program win a state championship. Fort Myers News-Press. More from the state cheerleading competition. Palm Beach Post. The Escambia County School District’s Youth Motivator Mentor Program passes the 1,000 volunteer mark. Pensacola News Journal. More than 100 special needs students in Collier County take part in a career experience program. Naples Daily News.


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BY NextSteps staff