Around the state: Duval school board members approve payments of $1.45 million to settle legal complaints over teacher misconduct at a Jacksonville high school, Flagler’s costs for school resource officers and school crossing guards jumps 16 percent, a new law that went into effect this week allows public buildings such as churches and movie theaters to be turned into schools, a plan to build affordable housing for Monroe County teachers and other school employees is moving forward, and a Martin County charter high school expects to double its enrollment in its second year. Here are details about those stories and others from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities (note: The roundup won’t be published the rest of this week; it resumes Monday):
Orange: A Winter Garden church is opening a Bible-based K-3 school in the fall with a maximum of 16 students in each grade. Faith Family Community Church plans to expand Winter Garden Christian Academy to 4th and 5th grades in 2025 and add a hybrid option for students in the 6th through 12th grades. Tuition is $10,800 a year, and the school is providing $8,000 vouchers from the state. Orange Observer.
Duval: School board members approved payments totaling $1.45 million to settle three legal complaints over teacher misconduct at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. One of the complaints came from a girl who had a sexual relationship with former music teacher Jeffrey Clayton, who pleaded guilty to misusing his position of authority and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. At Tuesday’s meeting, Christopher Bernier also was sworn as the district’s new superintendent, and said, “The safety and security of our kids is paramount.” But the board delayed taking action on a proposed policy to protect students from teacher misconduct after an attorney with the city of Jacksonville’s Office of General Counsel said it didn’t go far enough. Florida Times-Union. Jacksonville Today. WJAX. WJXT. Ten schools and dozens of other government facilities, energy infrastructure, chemical plants and housing complexes are at risk of regular disruptive flooding by 2050 because of the expected rise in sea levels, according to an analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists. WJXT.
Osceola: United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida has announced plans to build a $14 million downtown campus in Kissimmee that would include a charter school and physical, occupational and speech therapy for students with and without disabilities. The expansion would allow the nonprofit to add another 100 children to its programs. “The new UCP Osceola campus will enable us to reach even more children, providing them with the skills and support they need to succeed academically and personally,” said Ilene Wilkins, CEO and president of UCP. Completion is projected by June 2026. WFTV.
Alachua: Both the District 2 and District 4 school board elections will be decided in the Aug. 20 primary election. Here are the match-ups, the candidates’ platforms and a look at their financial supporters. Gainesville Sun.
Martin: Indiantown High School is expected to double its enrollment this fall in just its second year as a charter school. The school opened last August with the help of a $10 million donation in 2022 from Charles and Sandy Johnston and the Johnston Family Foundation. It offers a typical high school curriculum, college courses, and workforce training in welding, business/marketing, health sciences, agriculture and more. “This is the first time in Indiantown’s history that you can complete your education, pre-K to college, in Indiantown,” said Kevin Powers, a business owner who is on the school’s management advisory committee. WPEC.
Hernando: School board members recently approved a contract for interim superintendent Ray Pinder that will pay him at an annual rate of $160,000, plus a $650 a month allowance for transportation. Pinder had been making $129,000 a year as an assistant superintendent to John Stratton, who announced his resignation in April and completed the school year. The vote for Pinder’s contract was 3-1, with Shannon Rodriguez dissenting. She argued that his salary should have been lower because “he’s never been a superintendent before” and could have been raised if he does well. Suncoast News.
Flagler: Even though the number of school resource officers and crossing guards isn’t changing in the fall, the projected cost of that coverage to the school district is increasing 16 percent in a proposed contract the school board will consider at its meeting next week. Board member Colleen Conklin expressed her displeasure with the sharp rise. In 2022, she said, “our contract was $944,000. It is now, with no change in personnel, no addition in personnel, it is now $400,000 in addition to just two years ago. I want to know where this $400,000 is being spent, and on what.” Flagler Live.
Monroe: Plans to build affordable housing of 150 units for school employees on district property in Key West remain on track, school board members were told at a recent board meeting. Ground-breaking is expected in 2026. When the complex is completed, teachers will get first priority for 100 units, followed by non-instructional staff and then charter school educational or instructional support personnel. In the future, 50 units will be set aside for educators. Key West Citizen.
Colleges and universities: Kathryn McInnis, a member of the Florida Gateway College board of trustees for more than 25 years, has died. She also worked for Dixie County schools for 37 years and was a founding member of the Dixie County Education Foundation. WCJB.
More on test results: Students’ state standardized test scores were up this year in most of the key academic subjects, Florida Department of Education officials announced this week. Here are reports from school districts around the state on how their students did. Pinellas. Sarasota. Charlotte. Miami-Dade. Volusia. Some parents believe the state is testing their children too much. WPTV.
Potential school sites: Libraries, museums, movie theaters, churches and other public places can be turned into schools under a law that went into effect Monday. Private, charter and microschools are considered most likely to take advantage of the change. Central Florida Public Media.
Opinions on schools: For those of us who are trying to expand the opportunities available to Florida’s young people in STEM fields, one uncomfortable truth is that the parents of these young people hold the success or failure of our efforts in their hands. Paul Cottle, Bridge to Tomorrow.
