Around the state: An old mascot was retired and a new one was chosen at a Hillsborough high school, schools in Lee are reopening after Hurricane Ian, school board races heat up statewide, and school threats occurred in various districts. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Palm Beach: Years after a scandal involving grade changing at Palm Beach Central High School, the principal and his former assistant principal agreed to probation with the state education department. An investigation by the school district’s inspector general found that Principal Darren Edgecomb and then-Assistant Principal Laurence Greenberg raised the grades of at least 11 students — without the knowledge of their teachers.
Hillsborough: The Hillsborough School Board voted on Tuesday to retire the Chiefs mascot at Chamberlain High in a 5-1 vote after students earlier this month chose the “Storm” to replace it, ending a public debate over racial stereotypes and community traditions. Fox 13. ABC Action News. Tampa Bay Times. If you’re researching charter schools, information that includes test scores, discipline, complaints and other factors has been included in an interactive table. Hillsborough has a larger percentage of charter schools than the average Florida school system. Tampa Bay Times. Over the past five years in the county, enrollment in charters rose by more than 15,000 students while district-run schools lost more than 7,500. Hillsborough is seeing the result of a shift that began more than two decades ago in Florida. Tampa Bay Times.
Orange: The new superintendent for the public schools here, Dr. Maria Vazquez, held a town hall meeting on Monday to hear from parents in the district. Teachers and staff were also able to attend a meeting prior to the meeting with parents. “Sometimes, it’s not about getting the information, but it’s truly engaging with them and having a true conversation,” Vazquez said. WKMG.
Duval: The school board here reviewed refurbished sex education curriculum after pulling materials midyear. The original curriculum that Duval County Public Schools planned to use was rescinded because of concerns they may not meet the requirements of a new state law. Board members discussed the new curriculum on Tuesday and will take a vote on whether to approve the plan during a board meeting in the future. News 4 Jax.
Lee: All 80 PreK-12 schools in this school district will be open in one form or another by Friday, three weeks after Hurricane Ian. The final seven schools were either cleared to open or created an alternative plan to resume classes. Ft. Myers News-Press.
Brevard: Rep. Randy Fine wants to debate Brevard school officials on the need for an increase in property taxes. Fine challenged Superintendent Mark Mullins to a debate as voters in Brevard consider an increase in the local property tax supporting the school district. If the tax is approved on Nov. 8, the revenue would help fund salary increases in the district. Florida Politics.
Volusia: School veterans Jamie Haynes and Al Bouie vie for a District 1 seat, which includes DeLand, DeBary and the southwest portion of the county. The election takes place on Nov. 8. The race is a re-run of the 2018 election where Haynes narrowly beat Bouie to win the seat. The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Manatee: The Palmetto Police Department responded to a rumored threat at Manatee School for the Arts on Tuesday. A text message spread misinformation about a potential threat to the school, and eventually reached some parents, police said. The rumored threat follows a plethora of swatting calls across high schools nationwide. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Escambia: The school board hosted a string of workshops in preparation for its monthly meeting. In the midst of ongoing controversy about where to draw the line on book restrictions, one school board member suggested giving the superintendent authority to veto book bans. Pensacola News Journal.
Clay: An individual was arrested on Tuesday after a possible threat against Clay High School was posted on social media. After an investigation, the person was arrested for “disrupting a school function and threats against the school.” News4Jax.
Charlotte: While schools reopen in southwest Florida, others continue to clean up Hurricane Ian’s damage. Peace River Elementary is opening its doors early to help out parents, with donations coming in from all over the country. WINK.
Nassau: Four candidates are competing for two seats in the Nassau County School Board runoffs. Candidates Jamie Deonas, Shannon Hogue, Curtis Gaus and Albert Wagner are putting thousands toward signage to win their spots. Florida Politics.
Rumored threat: A brief lockdown at Manatee School for the Arts occurred after a rumored threat arose that prompted worry among parents on Tuesday at the charter school. The parent of a sixth grader reported the social media threat, police said. The student responsible may face school discipline but it is unknown whether they will face criminal charges. The Bradenton Herald.
Teacher arrested: A first grade teacher was charged with lewd and lascivious conduct with a student on the heels of a similar investigation. Damian Francis was arrested Monday. The Miami Herald.
Parents and midterms: A majority of parents are more likely to vote in the upcoming midterm elections than they were four years ago, according to a new poll. The 74th.
University and college news: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez teamed up with the Miami Foundation and local universities and technology leaders to fund scholarships for Miami students accepted into a STEM program at one of several south Florida universities. The scholarships are only open to recipients receiving Pell grants, the federal program that provides need-based grants to low income graduates. “If we are to have a technological boom in Miami, everyone has to benefit,” said Fishman Lipsy, who began her career as a public school teacher in Harlem. The Miami Herald. An anonymous tipster who is a Palm Beach State College student filed a tip that led to the arrest of Saul Allain Jean, a fellow student accused of making online posts that threatened to carry out a mass shooting. In a notice to students, college leaders applauded the tipster for helping stop a possible tragedy. Palm Beach Post.
Opinions on schools: Expanding electric vehicle transportation solutions is a good economic and environmental solution for Florida, and voters agree. School buses, which use diesel, would help scale the cost savings and pollution reduction benefits for Floridians. Ali DySard, Tallahassee Democrat.
