S.B. 374 veto: Gov. Rick Scott vetoes the Legislature's higher education bill, S.B. 374, saying it shortchanges community colleges. "While the bill makes positive changes to several State University System programs, and there are many provisions I think would be good for students, it does so at the expense of the Florida College System," Scott wrote in his veto letter. The bill, the top priority for Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, also includes a significant expansion of the Bright Futures scholarship program. That and other programs that expand financial aid won't be affected this year because they're also embedded in the overall budget bill, says Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton. Scott is urging legislators to make the Bright Futures changes permanent during next year's session. Miami Herald. Orlando Sentinel. News Service of Florida. Florida Politics. Politico Florida. Sunshine State News. The governor signs 28 other bills, including a measure to study school crossings for potential safety improvements. Palm Beach Post.
H.B. 7069: Despite reports that Gov. Scott will sign H.B. 7069 today in Orlando, State Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, is holding out hope that the bill will be vetoed and reworked. Gradebook. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, a Republican candidate for governor, says he remains troubled by the secret process used to put together the education bill. Tampa Bay Times. Here's a summary of some of the things that will happen if H.B. 7069 is signed. Palm Beach Post. Brevard County school officials say they're behind in the budget process because they still doesn't know how much money they'll be getting from the state. Florida Today. The Volusia County School District should receive about $4.5 million more than expected from the state, after the increases approved in the legislative special session, but school officials say they still face a $2.42 million budget deficit. Daytona Beach News-Journal. The Charlotte County School District will receive about 1.7 percent more per student than originally expected from the state. Charlotte Sun.
Charters win in court: A circuit judge rules that five charter schools in Indian River County are entitled to their fair share of a tax approved by voters and collected by the school district for operations. The charters have received about 5 percent of the tax since the 2013-2014 school year, as determined by the school board, but contended they deserved 12 percent. The judge agreed, saying the charter schools should receive a proportional amount based on enrollment. The school board will have to decide whether to appeal. TCPalm. The ruling could have implications for Palm Beach County. Palm Beach Post. (more…)
Board actions: The Florida Board of Education approves a budget request of $20.9 billion for the state's K-12 schools. The request, which now goes to Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature, calls for a 3.4 percent increase in overall spending and a 2.5 percent boost in per-pupil spending. News Service of Florida. Politico Florida. The board approves a proposal to end the $49 million Best and Brightest teacher bonuses plan. In its place would be a $43 million recruitment and retention program. Tampa Bay Times. Orlando Sentinel. The board also approves rules that tie charter school facilities funding to the types of students they serve. redefinED. Politico Florida. Board members are enthusiastic about the Department of Education's strategic plan that sets a goal of a 6- or 7-point increase in state test scores by students by 2020. Gradebook. Politico Florida. Turnaround plans for eight struggling Polk County schools are tabled by the board while 40 others are conditionally approved. Members say the Polk plans were submitted too late for proper review, and will be considered at the Oct. 26 meeting. Lakeland Ledger. Politico Florida.
Mediation for Duval: The Duval County School Board is considering hiring a mediator to resolve its differences with Superintendent Nikolai Vitti. Board chairwoman Ashley Smith Suarez has accused Vitti of being untruthful with the board and not being aggressive enough in trying to close the achievement gap between white and minority students. Florida Times-Union. Can mediation work after a year of crumbling relationships? Experts say it could, but everyone involved has to buy in to the process. Florida Times-Union.
School elections: A TV ad attacking his opponent is creating problems for Leon County Superintendent Jackie Pons. The ad focuses on a 2013 paternity lawsuit filed against Pons' opponent, Rocky Hanna. Several prominent members of Pons' re-election team have resigned over the ad, which they call an embarrassment. Tallahassee Democrat.
Opt-out promotions: Nine-year-old Broward County twins who opted out of the Florida Standards Assessments testing are promoted to fourth grade. Their mother, Brandy Paternoster, was one of the parents suing the state and several school districts over retention policies for students who choose not to take the tests. Sun-Sentinel. (more…)
Anthem warning: The principal of Lely High School in Naples is threatening to eject students at all school-sponsored sporting events if they don't stand for the national anthem. In a video announcement last week, Ryan Nemeth said: "You will stand, and you will stay quiet. If you don't, you are going to be sent home, and you're not going to have a refund of your ticket price." Thursday, Collier County school officials said Nemeth's remarks were taken out of a context, and that he regrets what he said. WBBH. WINK. Naples Daily News. In Orange County, school officials say students need a parent's permission to kneel during the anthem. WDBO.
Director retiring: A day after a state audit is critical of the Leon County School District construction projects, the chief of construction announces he is retiring. Jim Connell's last day is Sept. 30. Tallahassee Democrat.
School spending: The Duval County School Board delays a vote on the budget until Monday. Discrepancies on salaries and the revenue to cover them cause the postponement. Florida Times-Union.
Makeup days: Pinellas County students won't have to make up the days lost to Hurricane Hermine. District officials have decided there's enough time built into the schedule for schools to absorb the loss of two days. Gradebook. (more…)
More appeals: Seminole and Broward counties are joining the Florida Department of Education and Orange and Hernando counties in appealing a judge's ruling last week against the state's policy for retaining third-graders. All say that Leon County Judge Karen Gievers improperly ignored their requests for a change of venue from Tallahassee to local courts. Gievers ruled that the state was wrongly holding back third-graders who do poorly on the state Florida Standards Assessments tests or opt out from taking them. She ordered the state and six districts that were sued to allow students to present a portfolio of work to demonstrate their readiness for fourth grade. Orlando Sentinel.
Primary election results: Here are some of the results from Tuesday's primary election. From the Tampa Bay Times: Pinellas. Hillsborough. Hernando. Miami Herald: Miami-Dade. Orlando Sentinel: Orange, Seminole. Sun-Sentinel: Broward. Palm Beach. Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach. Florida Times-Union: Clay, where Superintendent Charlie Van Sant Jr. is ousted. WJAX: Duval school board. Ocala Star Banner: Marion, where Superintendent George Tomyn loses, and school board. Pensacola News Journal: Santa Rosa. Escambia. Florida Today: Brevard. Fort Myers News-Press: Lee. Lakeland Ledger: Polk. TCPalm: Martin. St. Lucie. Indian River, Indian River school tax. Bradenton Herald: Manatee. Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota. Manatee. Naples Daily News: Collier. Gainesville Sun: Alachua. Tallahassee Democrat: Superintendent, District 2, District 4. WFSU: Leon school board, superintendent. Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia. Flagler. Northwest Florida Daily News: Okaloosa superintendent. Panama City News Herald: Bay superintendent. St. Augustine Record: St. Johns. Keynoter: Monroe. Citrus County Chronicle: Citrus. Highlands Today: Highlands school tax. (more…)
Feds reject request: A state judge schedules a hearing today on the lawsuit against the Florida Department of Education's policy on retaining third-graders who do poorly on the state testing or opt out. The state asked a federal judge to take over the case, but the request was refused Friday. Fourteen parents are suing the state and six school districts, arguing that more factors should be considered if a student doesn't do well on the test, and that students who are doing well should not need a test score at all. Gradebook. Politico Florida. News Service of Florida. Associated Press. WFSU. Orlando Sentinel. Parents in Manatee County who think their child should be retained are told by school officials that there is no formal appeals process for that. Bradenton Herald.
Testing penalty: The company that administers the Florida Standards Assessments testing is refunding $4.8 million to the state for the problems with the testing in 2015. The American Institutes for Research has a $220-million, six-year contract with the state to run the annual language arts and math exams, which help determine school grades. Orlando Sentinel. Miami Herald.
Day 1: Schools open today in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Miami Herald. WSVN. Superintendent Lori White begins her final year when Sarasota County schools open today. White is retiring in February. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Teacher conduct: Administrators at St. Andrews School in Boca Raton are criticized in a report for doing nothing while a teacher had late-night meetings with students and even sleepovers. The report, commissioned by the Episcopal school, was released to parents. School officials have pledged to overhaul their policies. The teacher has not been charged with a crime, but is no longer employed by the school. Palm Beach Post. Sun-Sentinel. Associated Press. (more…)
Retention lawsuit: Education Commissioner Pam Stewart is asking a federal judge to take over the lawsuit filed against the Department of Education's policies on retention of third-graders who do poorly on the Florida Standards Assessments reading test or opt out of it. The state made the request after the state judge presiding in the case said it troubled her that children were being held back after opting out. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker is holding an emergency hearing today on the request. Associated Press. News Service of Florida. Politico Florida. Opting out of state testing is gaining popularity, but St. Johns County school officials say it's not an option for their students. Those who choose not to take the tests must have a good cause exemption or take an approved assessment alternative. St. Augustine Record.
Zika uniforms: Zika virus "uniforms" are being handed out to students who attend any of the six schools in or just outside the affected area of Miami. The free uniforms consist of two long-sleeved white shirts and two pairs of khaki pants. The Florida Department of Health is also handing out insect repellent and tips on preventing mosquito bites. Miami Herald.
Contract agreement: The Lake County School Board and the teachers union reach a tentative agreement on a one-year contract. Teachers will receive raises of $1,500 to $2,000, and starting pay will be pushed to $40,000 a year. Daily Commercial. (more…)
Retention lawsuit: A group of parents has filed suit against the Florida Department of Education and seven school districts over the retention of third-graders who score poorly on the Florida Standards Assessments reading tests or opt out of taking the test. Sarasota attorney Andrea Mogensen filed the suit in Leon County on behalf of 14 parents. She argues that more factors should be considered if a student doesn't do well on the test, and that students who are doing well should not need a test score at all. Tampa Bay Times. Orlando Sentinel. Tallahassee Democrat. News Service of Florida.
Zika and schools: When classes begin Aug. 22 in Miami-Dade County schools, Florida Department of Health officials will be stationed at each of the six schools closest to the area just north of downtown Miami where Zika cases have been reported. The officials will check for standing water, answer questions and supply insect repellent. Miami Herald. Leon County school officials are taking preventative measures to fight the Zika virus. WFSU.
Mass transfers: About one-third of the 900 students at Daytona Beach's Campbell Middle School decide to transfer. They were given that option through the Department of Education's Opportunity Scholarship Program, which allows students to transfer from underperforming schools. Campbell has received D grades from the state for the past four years. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Day 1: Scenes from the first day at school for a majority of Florida districts. Pensacola News Journal. Beth Kassab, Orlando Sentinel. Florida Today. Fort Myers News-Press. Bradenton Herald. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Ocala Star Banner. Daytona Beach News-Journal. Northwest Florida Daily News. St. Augustine Record. Daily Commercial. Citrus County Chronicle. Highlands Today.
Planning time fight: Palm Beach County teachers are criticizing the school district after discovering they'll lose an hour of planning time each week for required staff meetings. Union officials say it's a violation of their contract. But district officials defend the meetings, saying collaboration among teachers boosts student achievement. Palm Beach Post. (more…)
Desegregation case: The plaintiffs in a 50-year-old Pinellas County desegregation case are asking a federal court for help in enforcing the settlement. They allege the district is not fulfilling its commitment to provide safe schools for black students, isn't treating them fairly in discipline cases, isn't hiring and retaining black teachers, and is failing to increase the number of black students in magnets and special programs. The legal move sets into motion a process that includes negotiations between the sides, mediation and, if necessary, the appointment of a special overseer to report to the court. Tampa Bay Times.
Resume-padding: Anthony Hamlet, who was recently named to lead the Pittsburgh school district, embellished his achievements as Palm Beach County school administrator. His resume is at odds with the facts on lifting a school's grade from an F to a C, on raising a school's graduation rate by 13 percentage points, and on his district responsibilities. Hamlet called questions about his resume “a few percentage-point discrepancies” and of little consequence in the full context of his career. A Pittsburgh official says Hamlet “set himself far apart from the pool” in several ways beyond his resume. Palm Beach Post. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Supplemental pay scheme: Eastside High School paid almost $15,000 in supplemental pay over three and a half years to four staff members who did nothing to earn it and who simply passed it along to football coach Jeffrey Parker. Principal Jeff Charbonnet told a committee investigating the payments that he approved the payments after the district rejected it, and knew the money was going to Parker. Gainesville Sun.
Retention confusion: Parents and school districts in central Florida are battling over the insistence of the districts that third-grade students have test results to be promoted. One, Rhonda Nickerson, says her 9-year-old daughter got straight A's, but is being retained. Some parents say the retention threat should apply only to students with reading problems, not youngsters with no Florida Standards Assessments score but with good grades and reading skills. State official disagree, saying the retention law applies to everyone. Orlando Sentinel. Four third-graders in Palm Beach County with great grades are being retained because they didn't take the FSA, and their parents refused the district's portfolio option because it's made up of a series of tests. “If the teacher has taught the standards and the report card grades the standards, why can’t they use the report card?" asks Cindy Hamilton, an Orange County mom who cofounded the Opt Out Florida Network with Sandy Stenoff. Palm Beach Post. (more…)
