Teacher raises: The Florida Senate Education Committee has released its $22.6 billion budget plan that calls for an increase in spending of $762 million, with $500 million of it going toward teacher salary increases. That's about $100 million less than Gov. Ron DeSantis requested to raise starting teacher salaries, and the Senate also would distribute the money differently than DeSantis wanted. DeSantis called for $600 million to boost starting teacher pay to $47,500 a year, while the Senate would distribute the money proportionally to districts, which would have to spend 80 percent of their share to move toward that starting teacher pay goal but could use the rest to boost pay for veteran teachers. The Senate's budget also includes no money for any educator bonuses program; DeSantis had requested $300 million. Other items in the Senate budget include a spending increase of $181 per student, and increases of $42 million for Gardiner scholarships for special needs students, $42 million for school security and $25 million for mental health services. News Service of Florida. Gradebook. Politico Florida. redefinED. Florida Politics. Florida Phoenix.
Weapons at schools: Two bills are approved by a House subcommittee that would allow people to carry guns in churches that have schools and permit school board members with concealed carry permits to be armed at school board meetings. Both H.B. 1437 and H.B. 183 received bipartisan support in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. “Every day that this (H.B. 1437) is not the law in Florida is an insult to people of faith who attend church," said Rep. Anthony Sabatini, R-Howey-in-the-Hills. Okaloosa County Commissioner Graham Fountain spoke on behalf of H.B. 183. “Every day we get threats," he said. "We have people stalking our staff, our commissioners . ... This protects us." News Service of Florida. Associated Press. WFSU.
Restricting restraints: A House subcommittee has approved a bill that could put restrictions on the use of restraints on students. H.B. 1231 would define the terms "restraint" and "seclusion" and establish when their use is permitted. School districts would have to create policies emphasizing positive behavior interventions and train employees in their use. Rep. Bobby DuBose, D-Fort Lauderdale, the bill sponsor, said restraints have been used 80,000 times on students in recent years, and seclusion more than 20,000 times. “This is a traumatic experience for both the students and the parents,” he said. Gradebook.
Educator honored: Jesus Armas of Royal Palm Beach High School has been named the Palm Beach County School District's principal of the year. The other finalists were Pamela Buckman of Pioneer Park Elementary, Michelle Fleming of Lake Park Elementary and Reggie Myers of Park Vista Community High. Palm Beach Post. WPEC.
Union challenge: Florida public employee union officials, including those in education, say that a House bill increasing the regulations for membership is all about "union-busting." H.B. 1, which was filed by state Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa, would require union members to sign a form every year if they want to remain a member. Right now, employees authorize the deduction for union dues just once, and may leave the union after giving 30-day notice. Florida Phoenix. WTSP.
Teacher complaints: Brevard County teachers say the addition of mental health instruction on such topics as substance abuse and child trafficking leaves them feeling undertrained and overwhelmed. "Every time we take away time teachers have to teach the standards that are required, that can be very stressful," said union vice president Vanessa Skipper. "I think teachers support the idea of mental and emotional health education. But they recognize there are only so many hours in a day." Florida Today. Hundreds of Polk County teachers tell the school board that they are overworked and underpaid, and implored board members to push the state to improve funding. WTVT.
Free SAT tests: All Volusia County high school juniors will take the SAT during the school day April 14, with the district picking up the $150,000 bill. The initiative is Superintendent Scott Fritz's idea, and it includes paying for seniors to take the test next fall and 9th- and 10th-graders to take the pre-SAT. “I can’t think of anything better to invest in for our students,” said school board member Linda Cuthbert. Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retakes of the 2019 reading, writing and algebra Florida Statewide Assessment tests for Citrus County students are scheduled from Feb. 24 to March 13, district officials have announced. Citrus County Chronicle.
Holocaust education funding: The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill that allocates $10 million over five years for educating students about the Holocaust. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum will create and share curriculum materials on a centralized website. Jewish Journal.
Career planning: The Marion County School District's new career planning guide program emphasizes the three E's: enrollment, employment or enlistment. It's been designed to guide students into thinking about their life beyond high school. About 85 percent of the district's 2,809 seniors have identified their E, with 72 percent picking enrollment, 20 percent employment and 8 percent enlistment. Ocala Star-Banner.
Students chat with superintendent: Bay County school Superintendent Bill Husfelt has begun a series of community conversations with students at each of the district's high schools in which they can voice concerns and ask questions. Bay High School went first on Tuesday, and students wanted to know how students and parents can get more involved in district decision-making and the status of facilities improvements such as the addition of a STEM building on campus. Panama City News Herald.
Smart watch problems: Smart watches worn by students are becoming a problem in Santa Rosa County classrooms, said Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick. "Smartwatches have really become an issue in the county where we've really had to say, 'Parents, take a look at this,'" he said. "We need your help." WEAR.
Compensation for college athletes: The House Workforce Development & Tourism Subcommittee has approved a bill that would allow Florida college athletes to receive compensation for use of their “name, image, likeness or persona.” H.B. 251 would also require schools to provide insurance, life-skills workshops, and continue scholarships to athletes for up to one academic year after their athletic eligibility has ended. News Service of Florida. Florida Politics.
Day-care worker fired: A day-care teacher at a Sanibel Island preschool has been fired for writing a message in marker on the abdomen of a 1-year-old boy. The message to the mother read, in part, "Mom, I'm out of diapers." The mother said she may remove the child from the Children’s Education Center of the Islands, and the Florida Department of Children and Families and Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida are investigating. Fort Myers News-Press. WINK. WFTX.
Arrests at schools: An English teacher and a student at Fivay High School in Pasco County were arrested separately at the school Tuesday. Deputies say the teacher, who was not named, had a gun in her purse inside a filing cabinet. She told deputies she forgot she had it. The student falsely reported a threat against the school, deputies said. Gradebook. WFLA. WTSP.
Iguanas cause lockdown: Two Charlotte County schools were locked down for more than an hour Tuesday after someone reported seeing a man with a rifle near the adjacent campuses of Ainger Middle and Vineland Elementary in Rotonda West. When deputies found the man, they discovered he was a local animal trapper with a pellet gun who had been hired to remove iguanas from the area. He was given a trespass warning and released. Charlotte Sun. WFTS. WFTX.
Opinions on schools: We keep short-changing public education in this state financially and keep whining that the kids aren’t smart enough. Funny how that works. Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel. Don't expect Espinoza, the U.S. Supreme Court case about tax credit scholarships in Montana, to be a major game changer. State legislatures still must create voucher programs and families must still choose schools for their children. All we can hope for is that the court will provide some clarity in how Blaine Amendments can or cannot be applied. Patrick R. Gibbons, redefinED. By forcing students to research discussion topics, develop and sharpen their own arguments, study the opposing angle and articulate their points publicly, Gov DeSantis' civics and debate initiative should improve their critical thinking, help them become more socially interactive, learn more about our shared political culture and, hopefully, develop tougher hides as preparation for the bump and grind of the real world. Lakeland Ledger.
Student enrichment: A Palm Beach County teacher has received a $10,000 grant from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which she and 22 of her students are using to develop a test that can monitor a patient predisposed to sepsis and prompt intervention. Mary Fish teaches science in the Biotechnology Academy at Spanish River High School. Palm Beach Post. More than 800 students from traditional public high schools in Pinellas County marched across a bridge in Clearwater in a Unity Walk to honor those in the past who have fought for equality and human rights and to inspire others in future struggles. Gradebook.
Pregame prayers: Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran is asking the Florida High School Athletics Association to reconsider its ban on pregame prayers over stadium loudspeakers. The organization denied a request by Cambridge Christian School of Tampa to broadcast a prayer before the 2015 state championship football game against Jacksonville’s University Christian School, saying such a prayer would be considered "government speech." The school sued, claiming the denial was a violation of its First Amendment rights. A lower court dismissed the case, but an appeals court overturned the ruling in November and sent it back to the lower court. “I expect this to be heard, addressed and updated at the next available FHSAA Board of Directors meeting,” Corcoran wrote in a letter to FHSAA executive director George Tomyn. “Policies that are overbroad or restrictive may deny students their constitutional right to private religious expression. Such policies must be immediately repealed and replaced with policies that are consistent with the religious freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution.” News Service of Florida.
Teacher discipline control: Florida's education commissioner would have greater control of the commission that disciplines Florida's teachers under a provision in a bill filed by state Sen. Manny Diaz, R-Hialeah. The bill calls for the education commissioner to select, manage and potentially remove the executive director of the Education Practices Commission. The EPC is a 25-member, now autonomous agency that hears complaints about teacher misconduct and decides on punishments, up to the revokation of state certification. Members are appointed by the state Board of Education and make judgments based on investigations that are conducted by the commissioner's office. Gradebook.
Charter school closes: The only charter high school in Marion County, the Marion Military Academy, closed Monday for financial reasons. “The truth of the matter is funding was just not enough to sustain the number of teachers and staff required to continue,” school board chairman and financial backer Charles deMenzes wrote in an email to parents. School district officials say they are working to place the 185 students into district schools. Ocala Star-Banner.
Educators honored: Four finalists are chosen for the Manatee County School District teacher of the year award. They are: Faith Bench, math, Braden River Middle School; Amanda English, science, Bayshore High; Susan Nickerson, 4th grade, Palmetto Elementary; and Jennifer Santora, 3rd grade, Gullett Elementary. Four finalists were also chosen for the support employee of the year award: Christal Cashmore, paraprofessional, Myakka City Elementary; Alison Cooper, clerical assistant, Williams Elementary; Amie Golden, registrar, Witt Elementary; and Martha Stroup, senior school secretary, Freedom Elementary. Winners will be announced Feb. 5. Bradenton Herald.
Charter company cancels jet: A Texas-based charter schools company that has plans to expand into Florida in 2021 agreed to lease an eight-passenger private jet to fly its officials between schools, but reversed the decision after questions were raised about it by a teachers union and a newspaper. IDEA Public Schools, which educates about 53,000 students in Texas and Louisiana, backed out of the eight-year lease on the 2016 Cessna Citation CJ4 jet that would have cost about $15 million. “Opponents of education reform have falsely attacked a prudent management decision, creating a distraction from our core work,” said IDEA founder and CEO Tom Torkelson. “Though at no time public funds would have been used for the aircraft, IDEA has decided not to move forward with the lease.” Houston Chronicle.
Security in schools: The Miami-Dade County School District Police Department swears in 78 officers, bringing the total to 460 for the nation's largest school district police force. Still, some schools continue to be covered by officers from other agencies to meet the state mandate of an armed officer in every school. “Hopefully, by next school year we will have one of our own in each and every school,” said Chief Edwin Lopez. WFOR.
New leader's first meeting: In his first school board meeting, new Volusia County Superintendent Scott Fritz was given the authority to hire a deputy superintendent for teaching, leading and learning. The district hasn't had a deputy superintendent for the past four years. The board also approved an arrangement with the health department to give 6th-graders the opportunity to get the vaccinations they need for 7th grade at schools, and will consider consolidating Osceola and Ortona elementary schools in 2021 or establishing a K-8 school in that area. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Superintendent's job: Clay County Superintendent Addison Davis is among the 51 people who have applied for the top job with the Hillsborough County School District. Davis has been in the Clay County job, an elected position, since 2016 and has announced he is running again in 2020. He said a search firm encouraged him to apply to replace the retiring Jeff Eakins, and he felt “I could not pass on the possibility to use my skill set to impact more than 220,000 students in Hillsborough County." WJXT.
School rezoning protests: Parents in east Hillsborough County are organizing against a rezoning proposal that would move students from eight neighborhoods to different schools. They say they are worried about transportation, traffic and safety issues, and question whether this is simply the first of a series of disruptive moves. The changes are intended to ease overcrowding at Barrington and Randall middle schools. Gradebook. WTSP.
School programs: More than 100 students are enrolled in the first fulltime year of the dance academy at Leesburg High School in Lake County. The class got its own studio this year, and is fund-raising to upgrade it. Daily Commercial. Crestview High School in Okaloosa County is home to a new fishing club. The Bass Master's Club members will practice fishing skills and techniques and attend safety seminars. Northwest Florida Daily News.
Former student honored: A 2019 graduate of Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg who was gunned down at Naval Air Station Pensacola on Dec. 6 was honored in a memorial service at the school on Monday, which would have been his 20th birthday. Sailor Mohammed “Mo” Haitham died trying to stop the shooter. Hundreds of family and friends gathered at the school's track and took two laps to honor the former track star. Tampa Bay Times. WFLA.
Bathroom privacy concerns: The Hernando County School District has removed the main doors in bathrooms at Frank W. Springstead High School to dissuade vaping, fighting and bullying. “Each stall has a door, but the hand washing takes place in the more open space,” according to a district official. Springstead is the only district school affected. WFTS.
Crimes in Brevard schools: Here are the Brevard County school-by-school crimes during the 2017-2018 school year, as reported to the Florida Department of Education. Brevard Times.
Employees and the law: Charges of failure to report child abuse against Shalimar Elementary School guidance counselor Sharen Burt will be dismissed if she completes the terms of a p[retrial intervention program. According to arrest records, Burt notified the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast instead of police after learning of sexual abuse allegations were made by a 5-year-old. Northwest Florida Daily News. A Polk County school bus attendant and her husband have been arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana. Deputies say the drugs were found in the home of Mary Whitehead, 36, and her husband, Antonio Whitehead, 41, after a tip. School officials say Mary Whitehead won't be working while the district investigates. Lakeland Ledger. WFTV.
Opinions on schools: Because of the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the Broward County School District has an acute awareness of safety in all of our schools. We are also, understandably, perceived as “ground zero” by districts around the state and country for how we are making our schools and our educational environment safer. Here is how the district is addressing safety issues noted in the report. Broward Superintendent Robert Runcie, Sun Sentinel. Can parents trust that the number of crimes in schools reported by districts to the Florida Department of Education is accurate? Gil Smart, TCPalm. To improve education in Alachua County, children should be given more opportunities by giving their parents more choices on where their kids are educated. Len Cabrera, Gainesville Sun. We should not view an ideal school system as a forever war over finite seats in desirable schools. Rather, we should aim to create a liberal system of education giving educators the freedom to create education opportunities and families the flexibility to select between them based upon the interests and needs of the students – with meaningful levels of assistance for disadvantaged students. Matthew Ladner, redefinED.
Student enrichment: Verizon has donated $100,000, iPads, speakers and other technology to the Bay Education Foundation to benefit students in public schools. Panama City News Herald. The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation has donated more than $75,000 to the Florida Center for Early Childhood to improve building security and playground safety at Starfish Academy preschools in Sarasota and North Port. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Selling the bill: House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes, posts a cartoon on YouTube to explain and defend the education bill that was passed last week. Corcoran calls it “#toontruth for anyone who likes the truth in animated video format.” Orlando Sentinel. How the education bills passed in Tallahassee on recess, testing and charter schools could affect St. Johns County schools. St. Augustine Record. Teacher bonuses would be smaller and many more teachers would earn them under the new education bill. Bridge to Tomorrow. The school choice movement is breaking into two camps: one that wants to use choice to improve public schools, and one that wants greatly expand choice by using tax money. Associated Press.
Title I, Medicaid concerns: The Legislature's decision to distribute federal Title I funding directly to schools and spread it to more schools could have devastating long-term effects on poor students, say district officials. Districts will be forced to cut special programs for low-income students, including after-school and summer school, or shift money from other programs to make up the difference. "A number of our community members and parents are aware of the services we provide in our 63 Title I schools," said Felita Grant, Title I director for Pinellas County schools. "It would be a shock to them, if this bill goes through, the number of services we would have to cut back on." Tampa Bay Times. School districts around the country say proposed cuts in the Medicaid program will have a significant impact in schools. Associated Press.
Teachers honored: Diego Fuentes, who teaches music to students with severe disabilities at the Hillcrest School in Ocala, is chosen as one of five finalists for the Department of Education’s 2018 Florida teacher of the year award. Fuentes was awarded $5,000. The winner will be announced July 13. Ocala Star Banner. Palm Beach County's teacher of the year and school-related employee of the year are surprised with free, two-year leases of BMWs. Palm Beach Post.
Teaching incentives: Experienced teachers are being offered up to $70,000 in incentive pay over three years to work at struggling Carver Middle School in Orlando. More than 100 teachers have already applied, school officials say. Those hired will get an extra $20,000 for the 2017-2018 school year, and $25,000 in each of the next two years. Carver has received two Fs and a D in school grades in the past three years, and nearly 80 percent of its students failed their Florida Standards Assessment exams. Orlando Sentinel. (more…)
