Superintendent investigated: Leon County School Superintendent Jackie Pons is under investigation after "possibly compromising" photos were given anonymously to district officials. The photos apparently show Pons getting into and out of a car with a female district employee in a heavily wooded area. Pons, who lost his bid for re-election and leaves office Tuesday, will be investigated by an outside firm. Tallahassee Democrat. WFSU.
Raise request: Palm Beach County School Superintendent Robert Avossa is asking the school board for a $10,000 a year raise. Avossa, who is the state's highest-paid superintendent at $325,000 a year, was given a highly effective rating by board members earlier this month. Palm Beach Post.
Open enrollment: Pasco County schools that are at 90 percent or higher capacity will be closed to transfers if the school board approves the district's proposed rules. In-county students will get first preference at those schools under 90 percent. The new state law allowing a student to transfer to any school that has an available seat takes effect next fall. Gradebook.
School may close: The only elementary school in Jefferson County could close by Christmas. A state financial oversight board has given the school district until Nov. 30 to submit a school transition plan and budget. New Superintendent Mary Ann Arbulu, who takes office Nov. 22, has asked for more time. If Jefferson Elementary is closed, students will be sent to Jefferson Middle. The district is down to 700 students and has struggled with its finances and poor grades from the state. WFSU. (more…)
School assignment query: The Florida Department of Education is investigating whether Duval County school officials followed the law in reassigning students from schools that were closed or revamped because of poor performance. The law requires districts to reassign students from failing schools to schools that have a grade of C or better, and the state says there are allegations that's not happening. Duval Superintendent Nikolai Vitti says he's confident the district has followed state guidelines. Florida Times-Union.
School choice: School choice advocates do well in Florida elections while the anti-choice teachers union, the Florida Education Association, has setbacks even after spending nearly $3 million on its preferred candidates. redefinED. Gradebook. Politico Florida. Experts say Donald Trump's educational policies are likely to include expanded parental choice, growth in voucher programs and more local control of schools, among other things. The Atlantic.
School elections: The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections hopes to declare a winner today in the District 7 school board race between Lynn Gray and Cathy James. Gray leads by a quarter of a percent, but 1,400 provisional ballots remain to be counted. Any difference under a half percent triggers an automatic recount. Gradebook. The Polk County Supervisor of Elections will decide Friday if a recount is required in the District 4 school board race between Sara Beth Reynolds and Becky Troutman. Reynolds leads by less than a quarter of a percent. Lakeland Ledger. Marianne Arbulu is elected superintendent of schools for Jefferson County. WFSU.
House education leader: State Rep. Michael Bileca, R-Miami, is named to direct education policy in the Florida House in the upcoming legislative session. Incoming House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes, made the appointment. Gradebook. (more…)
