Education budget: Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed $79.3 billion budget would boost spending for K-12 by $507.3 million, but only 15 percent would be provided by the state. The rest would come through higher property taxes on residents and businesses. Tampa Bay Times. Lake County school officials say the increase in education spending isn’t enough. Daily Commercial.
Interpreter standards: Bills filed by State Rep. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach, and State Sen. Thad Altman, R-Rockledge, would establish standards for interpreters for hearing-impaired students in grades K-12. Sunshine State News.
Stadium deal: Miami-Dade County Republican Party chairman Nelson Diaz says he’s hearing grumblings about the proposed deal between the school system and David Beckham to build a Major League Soccer stadium. The partnership would give the stadium a break on property taxes by putting ownership in the hands of the school board. Miami Herald.
Opinions on schools: It’s time voters correct a mistake, however well-intentioned, and return the education commissioner’s job to an elected Cabinet position, columnist John Romano argues. Tampa Bay Times.
School plan flexible: Duval County School Superintendent Nikolai Vitti says his plan to revamp the system will continue to change as he gets input from parents and working groups considering his proposals, which include boosting enrollment by winning students back from charter schools, expanding choice and building new schools. Florida Times-Union. One of the working groups is proposing a new site for a single-gender middle school. Florida Times-Union.
Teacher shortage: Leon County is struggling to find replacements for the 50 teachers who are retiring soon. WFSU.
Sign appeal denied: A former porn star turned math tutor does not have the right to hang signs advertising his tutoring business at three Boca Raton schools, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled. Sun-Sentinel.
Construction audits: The Indian River County School Board is considering making construction companies pay for the audits of major building projects. The board was unhappy to learn it paid $138,179 for an audit of 10 major construction projects that found about $309,000 in overcharges. TCPalm.
Administrator with heart: Erika Carter-Rolle, an assistant principal at M.A. Milam K-8 Center in Hialeah, gets a second chance at life with a heart transplant Oct. 30. Miami Herald.
Student enrichment: A 13-year-old autistic student is elected student body president at Homestead’s Somerset City Arts Conservatory charter school. Miami Herald. High school students train to build educational games and virtual field trips at Mid Florida Tech. Orlando Sentinel. About 180 students from Santa Rosa and Escambia counties get a lesson in farming and pack food for needy families. Pensacola News Journal. Pensacola Christian Academy students send 600 hand-written letters to U.S. soldiers around the world. Pensacola News Journal. Parents of students at Apalachee Tapestry Magnet School of the Arts get a display of their children’s talents. Tallahassee Democrat. Girls in grades 6-12 are getting lessons in computer coding at Florida State University Panama City. Northwest Florida Daily News. Panama City News Herald.
