H.B. 7069 lawsuits: The Hillsborough County School Board chooses not to join other districts in suing the state over the constitutionality of the new education law, H.B. 7069. Board members say a suit would cost too much money, take too much staff time and potentially contaminate relationships with state legislators. Fourteen other districts have announced their intention to join the lawsuit, which has not yet been filed. Tampa Bay Times. The Palm Beach County School District files its challenge to H.B. 7069 in Leon County Circuit Court. The suit claims the law unconstitutionally forces districts to share local property tax revenue with charters, and specifically targets just those provisions that require districts to share property tax proceeds with charters. School board members chose to file their own suit instead of joining other districts. Palm Beach Post. redefinED.
Makeup days: The Hernando County School District will use extra minutes already built into its daily schedule to make up the time lost to Hurricane Irma. Only Moton Elementary does not have that time available, since it’s a turnaround school and is required to have 60 extra minutes a day for reading. So eight minutes a day has been added to Moton’s schedule. Tampa Bay Times. Duval County school officials detail the setting up of hurricane shelters in schools, and the ensuing teardown and cleanup to prepare for the resumption of classes. Florida Times-Union.
Social media boost: Lake County School Board members are encouraging the county’s schools to launch and maintain Facebook and Twitter accounts in order to better communicate with students and parents. “I am pretty excited,” says board chairman Marc Dodd. “We definitely understand the value of communicating that way and how many people it can reach.” Existing employee and student conduct rules will apply to the use of the platforms, and the district will offer training. Daily Commercial.
Kneeling for anthem: Pasco County school officials are told that students peacefully kneeling during the national anthem should not face punishment. Earlier this week, assistant superintendent Kevin Shibley advised school administrators that kneeling during the pledge of allegiance was within a student’s rights, which led those administrators to ask about the anthem. Gradebook.
Legislative priorities: The primary topic of discussion between the Hamilton County legislative delegation and county residents is the state of education. Many residents express concern about the impact of H.B. 7069, a new elementary school and the school’s turnaround option plan. Suwannee Democrat.
Contract negotiations: Pasco County School Superintendent Kurt Browning wants to take into account teacher bonuses from the state when making decisions about how to spread $3.3 million set aside for raises for school employees. The district and its unions are expected to begin contract negotiations soon. Gradebook.
Student dies at school: A 6th-grade Marion County student dies shortly after arriving at Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks on Wednesday. School officials say the boy said he wasn’t feeling well when he got off his school bus. He was taken to the school clinic, then transferred to a hospital where he died a few hours later. Hospital officials say the boy did not appear to have a highly contagious condition, though his bus and the school were cleaned. Ocala Star-Banner. WKMG.
Yearbook quotes: Yulee High School officials say any quotes used by seniors for the yearbook can’t be original and have to come from a “reputable source.” Some students and parents say the decision is a freedom of speech violation. WJAX.
Teacher aide arrested: A Marion County teacher’s aide is arrested and accused of having sexual conduct with a 15-year-old student. Detectives say Katie Carsey, 36, acknowledged having “inappropriate contact” with the boy in the back seat of a car. WKMG. Ocala Star-Banner.
Teacher resigns: A Jacksonville teacher who called a group of black students “rats” has resigned. A school investigation found that Carter G. Woodson Elementary 3rd grade teacher Jordan Cataldo made several racially tinged statements that violated district policies and principles of professional conduct. WJAX.
Student arrested: A 17-year-old Lake Worth High School students is arrested and accused of assaulting another student with brass knuckles during a fight in the school cafeteria Aug. 24. Pascual Francisco is being charged as an adult. Palm Beach Post.
School employee fired: A Duval County School District technical services employee is fired for stealing $13,000 worth of computer equipment donated to schools and selling it for scrap for $318.90. Ken Camanga, 47, pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining personal property with intent to defraud. Florida Times-Union.
Student alleges assault: A Cape Coral High School student says she was sexually assaulted during a biology class on Sept. 1. She says a boy tried to touch her inappropriately, and when she told him no he exposed himself and forced her to touch him. Lee County sheriff’s deputies are investigating. Fort Myers News-Press.
Opinions on schools: The Palm Beach County School District is not anti-charter schools as much as it is anti-competition. Lynn Norman-Teck, Palm Beach Post. The weakening of construction standards for Florida’s public schools rather than raising them for privately operated charter schools must be reversed to assure sufficient safe evacuation havens. Citrus County Chronicle. High school educators bragging about the number of students they’ve placed at the college starting line need to stop bragging unless those students cross the finish line. Paul Cottle, Bridge to Tomorrow.
Student enrichment: The Florida Chamber Foundation, in collaboration with the state Department of Education, the Department of Economic Opportunity and the U.S. Census Bureau, launches an online tool that will help users understand the cost and potential financial benefits of careers. Florida Politics. Mount Dora Christian Academy is one of 12 Florida schools and 342 nationwide receiving a blue ribbon school award from the U.S. Department of Education for making progress toward closing the achievement gap. Orlando Sentinel. St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton is building a $7 million performing arts center on land donated by its neighbor, the Christ Episcopal Church. Bradenton Herald.
