Sarasota County School Board member Shirley Brown was part of a 4-1 majority that rejected a Pinecrest Academy charter school application.
A South Florida charter school organization saw a setback in its plans to expand into Sarasota County. Pinecrest Academy now faces a familiar dynamic. A divided school board rejected its application. Now it will likely head to a state appeals process.
But the debate surrounding the 4-1 school board vote underscores a rising trend, in which charter school applications face organized opposition. In this case, a local group called Protect Our Public Schools rallied activists who lined up in opposition before the Sarasota County School Board. They criticized Academica, the management company behind the proposed charter, citing a hard-hitting Miami Herald investigation of its business practices. They also framed the decision over one charter school application as part of a larger fight over the future of public education.
Several board members noted most of the charter schools in its community are homegrown nonprofits who enjoy good relations with the district — and highlighted a contrast. (more…)
Charter schools. In an innovative arrangement, a new Miami-Dade charter school will be built with private funds but managed by the school district. Miami Herald. WPLG. A Pasco County charter for poor children with Autism is at risk of closing. Tampa Bay Times. Charter Schools USA faces a multimillion dollar verdict in a sexual abuse case. Herald. WPLG. The Duval County School Board might not renew some charter contracts. Florida Times-Union.
Tax credit scholarships. The program "is an asset to public education," an administrator at St. Petersburg Christian School writes in the Tampa Bay Times. "It should be imperative" for students in the program to take state standardized tests, former Sen. Paula Dockery writes in an opinion column.
Common core. The standards bring debate to the Hillsborough County School Board. Tampa Tribune.
Facilities. The Lee County School Board looks for ways to address enrollment growth. Fort Myers News-Press. Maintenance money is scarce, but a Hernando County elementary school is looking ways to repair its roof. Tampa Bay Times.
Single-gender schools. Scripps/Tribune writes up pending legislation creating new guidelines for the programs.
Teachers unions. The head of Orange County's teachers union is re-elected as it gears up for an impasse hearing with the school district. Orlando Sentinel.
School choice legislation. The Senate rewrites its plan for education savings accounts. redefinED. Sentinel School Zone. The move underscores the uncertain future of tax credit scholarship legislation. News Service of Florida. WFSU. Education historian Sherman Dorn offers his take on the politics, while Jeb Bush talks school choice with Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York.
Charter schools. The Palm Beach County School Board votes to close a struggling, 16-year-old school. Palm Beach Post. Charter Schools USA backs away from plans to open a school in Pasco County. Gradebook.
Virtual school. A Florida Virtual School administrator is a finalist for a state award. Sentinel School Zone.
Teacher pay. Hernando County teachers reach a pay-raise deal that creates a structure for future performance-based increases. Tampa Bay Times.
School safety. Hillsborough County's superintendent didn't learn about a child's death until months after it happened. Tampa Bay Times. She tries to spread the word about pedestrian safety. Times. A bill allowing some school employees to carry guns keeps moving through the Legislature. Extra Credit. Associated Press. Bradenton Herald. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. (more…)
