Around the state: A Collier school board member-elect says he wants corporal punishment brought back into schools, some school districts that had been closed for the storm reopen today while others remain closed out of caution or to observe Veterans Day, districts begin to discuss how to make up days lost to Nicole, a proposed civility policy for parents on school grounds is being revised by Pasco school officials, the Gulf County School District has named finalists for its teacher- and employee-of-the-year awards, and a federal judge in Texas has struck down a Biden administration proposal to cancel student loan debt for millions of Americans. Here are details about those stories and others from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Broward: The school district lost four days of classes to Hurricane Nicole, and has been discussing how to make up at least some of that time. “We will have to make up some of the lost time but not necessarily the four days,” said district spokesman John Sullivan. “It might materialize in one day, two days, or a combination of half days.” He said a decision is expected soon. The district has five early-release days on its academic calendar that could be turned into full days to recover some of the lost time: Jan. 12, Feb. 14, March 16, April 20 and June 8. State law requires 900 hours of instruction for grades 4-12 and 720 for grades K-3, though Florida Department of Educational officials have the option of waiving the requirement. Sun-Sentinel.
Tampa Bay area: Schools in Pinellas, Pasco and Highlands counties reopen today after being closed for the storm, while those in Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Hernando and Citrus are closed for Veterans Day. Hillsborough has announced that Jan. 9 will be the makeup day for schools being closed Thursday, and Citrus officials are converting half-days on Dec. 21 and 22 into full days. WFLA.
Orange, central Florida: Schools are closed again today in Orange County because of Nicole, district officials announced Thursday. The district also sent students home early Wednesday and closed schools Thursday. “We will begin the process of assessing our schools for damages first thing (Friday) morning,” the district announced in a statement. “If our schools have power and are deemed safe to return we will resume normal school and district operations Monday, Nov. 14. We will provide another update and confirmation of reopening schools over the weekend.” Schools in Osceola, Brevard, Flagler and Volusia are closed today because of Veterans Day. Orange County School District. WFTV. Florida Department of Education.
Palm Beach: Hurricane Nicole caused minimal damage to district schools, which will be open today, officials said after an inspection Thursday. “Minor repairs and cleanup are expected to be completed today,” Superintendent Michael Burke said in a message to families Thursday afternoon. After-school and extracurricular activities also resume today. Palm Beach Post. WPTV. WPEC. WLRN.
Pasco: A proposed school district policy setting civility rules for parents in their interactions with school officials will be revised after some school board members and parents called it vague, aspirational and unconstitutional. Several board members are asking to make the policy more direct, to lessen the focus on parents’ behavior, and to specify how employees will be disciplined for their incivility. Board chair Cynthia Armstrong said input will be taken from parents before the policy is voted on by the board. Tampa Bay Times. WTVT.
Collier: Jerry Rutherford, who was elected to the District 1 school board seat in Tuesday’s election, said he wants to bring corporal punishment back into district schools, see an end to “out of control” behavior by disabled students, and either allow fewer “rights” for LGBTQ students or have the same rights those students have extended to those who want to practice religion in school. While Florida law allows corporal punishment, the Collier district does not. Rutherford’s comments were criticized by the school board member he defeated, Jory Westberry, and others. Naples Daily News.
Sarasota, southwest Florida: Schools reopen today in Sarasota, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, DeSoto and Glades counties after being closed Thursday for the storm. WBBH. Charlotte Sun.
Marion, Gilchrist: All schools in Marion County are reopening today after being closed Thursday by the storm, with the exception of Anthony Elementary School. Schools in Gilchrist County also are open today. WCJB.
Escambia: Just re-elected school board member Paul Fetsko is calling for a quick decision on whether Warrington Middle School becomes a charter school or closes. “We need to get through this charter, we need to know what’s gonna happen to WMS students, hopefully by the Christmas break,” Fetsko said this week. Warrington has received state grades of D or F for years, and the Florida Department of Education ordered the district to turn the school into a charter school or close it. The district decided to keep it open as a charter, and meets Monday with Charter Schools USA, one of the front-runners to take control of the school. If the district doesn’t reach an agreement with a charter school company by Jan. 31, the state will make the decision. WEAR.
Bay: After months of contract negotiations with the school district have not led to an agreement, dozens of teachers took to the streets this week to protest the district’s offer for veteran teachers. Teachers have asked for 7 percent raises, while the district has offered 4.4 percent. Negotiations continue Tuesday. WJHG.
Gulf: Finalists for the school district’s teacher- and employee-of-the-year awards have been announced. Teacher-of-the-year finalists are Lisa Finney, an ESE teacher at Port St. Joe Elementary School; Jeannie Baumgardner, who teaches 3rd grade at Wewahitchka Elementary; Mitch Bouington, band director at Port St. Joe High; and Daphne Lister, band and choir director and a U.S. history teacher at Wewahitchka High. Employee-of-the-year finalists are: June Smiley, a food service employee from Port St. Joe Elementary; Stephanie Easter, an ESE paraprofessional at Wewahitchka Elementary; Deborah Barnes, an office staffer at Port St. Joe High; and Shannon Jo Martin, a Gulf Academy employee at Wewahitchka High. Port St. Joe Star.
Franklin, Hamilton: Both school districts were closed Thursday and are closed again today “due to the uncertainty” and impact of Nicole, school officials announced. Franklin County School District. Hamilton County School District. Florida Department of Education.
Conservative push in education: One of the most significant aspects to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ overwhelming re-election may be the success he and other conservative groups such as Moms in Liberty had in getting conservatives elected to local school boards. “School boards often influence policy and curriculum more than state or national bodies,” said Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, a history professor at The New School in New York. “So the presence of a significant number of DeSantis-backed candidates likely means that communities will see more energy behind the initiatives he has made central to his campaign — curbing progressive curricula that center race, gender and sexuality.” NBC News. The 74.
Governor’s transition leaders: Gov. DeSantis has selected three chairs for his transition committee: Shane Strum, DeSantis’ first chief of staff and now president and CEO of Broward Health; Adrian Lukis, another ex-DeSantis chief of staff who has been working with the Ballard Partners lobbying firm; and Scott Wagner, chair of the South Florida Water Management Board. “During my second term in office, we will remain focused on continuing to lead on the priorities that matter to Floridians like keeping our schools open and free from indoctrination, protecting and preserving our world-class environment, and maintaining a booming economy,” DeSantis said. Politico Florida. Florida Politics.
Around the nation: A federal judge in Texas struck down the Biden administration’s proposed program to cancel student loan debt for millions of Americans, declaring that it is “an unconstitutional exercise of Congress’ legislative power and must be vacated.” The decision is likely to be appealed. Associated Press. Politico. Reuters.
Opinions on schools: Viewing Florida’s 4th- and 8th-grade NAEP math scores confirms that the state does a great job educating students in early grades, but the rest of the nation is able to catch up by the time students reach 8th grade.. Patrick R. Gibbons, reimaginED. If educators and families carry on as normal and revert to pre-pandemic habits, millions of kids may never recover lost knowledge and skills before aging out of school. That’s morally unacceptable and will ultimately damage the country’s prosperity and stability. Robin Lake and Paul Hill, The 74. Given modern residential patterns and school zone boundaries’ correlation with historic redlining efforts, the gap between the ideal and the real is already baked into school choice infrastructure in many cities — especially for families with fewer resources. Jeff Murray, Fordham Institute. Florida continues to be below average in the rate of students graduating with bachelor’s degrees in science and engineering, ranking 32nd among states in 2021. Paul Cottle, Bridge to Tomorrow.
