Paperless district: The Marion County School District is beginning to digitize all 9 million-plus of its paper records to gradually convert to a paperless organization. Sometime in 2018, the district expects to stop creating paper documents and begin electronic enrollment. The project will cost about $800,000 and will take several years. Ocala Star Banner.
Charter growth slows: While charter school enrollment in Florida continued to grow in the 2016-2017 school year, the growth rate continues to be well below what it was in the period between 2010 and 2014. Almost 287,000 students attended charter schools last year, up 6.2 percent over the 270,151 last year. Between 2010 and 2014, the growth rate averaged 13.7 percent a year. redefinED. In Hillsborough County, the percentage of students in charter schools has edged up to the state average of about 10 percent, with 11 new charter schools opening next month. Tampa Bay Times.
Searching students: The Citrus County School Board approves a policy to search every student at the Citrus County Renaissance Center every day. First, students will undergo a metal detector wand search for weapons. Then they’ll empty their pockets, untuck their shirts and take off shoes. Finally, each student’s arms, legs and feet will be checked for drugs or other contraband. The school enrolls students with behavior problems. Citrus County Chronicle.
H.B. 7069 lawsuit: Miami-Dade County School Board members instruct their attorney to draft a plan to join other districts in suing the state over the new education law, H.B. 7069. The suit would target several parts of the bill the district thinks are unconstitutional, such as forcing districts to share local tax money with charter schools while limiting boards’ authority over those schools, and restricting how districts can spend federal dollars awarded to students in low-income schools. Five districts have committed to the proposed lawsuit: Broward, St. Lucie, Bay, Lee and Volusia counties. Miami Herald. The Manatee County School Board supports the move by several districts to sue the state over the new education law, but stopped short of setting aside any money for the effort. Board members say they will revisit the idea of pledging money once a suit is actually filed. Bradenton Herald.
School budgets: The Miami-Dade School Board gives its first approval to a $5.1 billion budget that includes more money to hire guidance counselors and custodians, but cuts in administration spending and no raises for teachers. Final adoption of the budget is scheduled Sept. 6. Miami Herald. The Orange County and Seminole county school boards tentatively approve budgets. Orange County’s is for $3.7 billion, while Seminole’s is at $833 million. Final votes will be in September. Orlando Sentinel. The Palm Beach County School Board gives initial approval to a $2.9 billion budget, and also adopts a new policy that would prohibit school officials from contacting people who sign up to speak at board meetings. Sun Sentinel. Palm Beach Post. The Manatee County School Board tentatively approves a budget with a lower property tax rates, but increased property values are forecast to yield more money for the district. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. The Clay County School Board tentatively approves a $71.7 million budget that includes $16.7 million for capital projects. Clay Today. The Gulf County School Board tentatively adopts a budget. A final vote will be in September. Port St. Joe Star.
Teacher pay raises: Hillsborough County school officials say giving teachers the pay raises they’re asking for would saddle the district with a deficit of about $115 million. Mark West, the district’s employee relations manager, says the proposed raises combined with less money from the state and rising costs contribute to the deficit. Tampa Bay Times.
Title I funding: Leon County school officials say the Title I provisions of the new education law will hurting their efforts to provide services to children from low-income families. “Our schools are going to see an increase in the funding they receive,’ says Superintendent Rocky Hanna, “but it takes flexibility away from the district in supporting programs” by capping the amount of administrative funds controlled by the district office. Tallahassee Democrat.
Educational changes: From testing to recess, here are eight ways Florida’s public schools will be different when classes resume next month. Tampa Bay Times.
Community school: Crystal Lake Elementary is chosen by the Polk County School Board to become the home for a pilot community school program. A community school is a partnership between the school district and other community agencies to place education, health and social services into a neighborhood school. Crystal Lake was chosen out of the 73 considered because it has existing community partnerships, strong support in the neighborhood, and room for a health clinic and future growth. Lakeland Ledger.
Audit opposed: The chairwoman of the Duval County School Board says an audit of the district is unnecessary even though it spent $21 million over its budget last year. In a letter to the Duval legislative delegation, Paula Wright says, “Factually and emphatically, the Duval County School Board is not ‘indulging in irresponsible budget practices’, as claimed by our former colleague.” Earlier this week, state Rep. Jason Fischer, R-Jacksonville, a former Duval school board member, called for a state audit of the district. Florida Politics.
Math teacher shortage: Franklin County school officials are struggling to fill openings for math teachers, so Superintendent Traci Moses is proposing online classes through the Florida Virtual School. “I feel like it’s better to go to Florida Virtual School than the effect of hiring a long-term substitute,” Moses told the school board. “It’s not an ideal situation. I think we’ve exhausted all efforts.” Apalachicola Times.
Superintendent survey: More than 940 Hernando County School District employees respond to a survey to evaluate Superintendent Lori Romano, and the overall average rating was 2.86 out of a possible 5. Her highest ratings came in values and ethics of leadership. Her poorest ratings came in communications. Only 28 percent of the respondents believe Romano communicates effectively with teachers. Tampa Bay Times.
Personnel moves: Polk County School Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd appoints 15 administrators, including four in the district office. Lakeland Ledger.
Administrator arrested: A guidance administrator at Gulf Breeze High School is arrested and accused of fraudulently obtaining prescription medications. Sean Patrick Tomey, 43, told police he created false prescriptions to deal with his chronic long-term pain. He is on paid suspension pending the legal outcome. Pensacola News Journal. Northwest Florida Daily News.
Opinions on schools: Think of paying to get into a pep rally as just another way to show your school loyalty. Frank Cerabino, Palm Beach Post. Expanding Bright Futures scholarships isn’t enough to improve students’ access to college in Florida. Gainesville Sun. It’s good to see the Volusia County School Board chairwoman hit the road to campaign against the state school funding formula’s district cost differential, which has given the county the short end of the financial stick since 2004. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Student enrichment: Jinks Middle School holds a “Count Me In” back-to-school event, offering everything parents and students need to start school in one place. Panama City News Herald.
