Florida DOE removed 700+ books from schools last year, threats course, charter deal, and more

Around the state: Florida officials confirm that more than 700 books were removed from schools during the 2023-2024 school year, Orange County school officials are urging parents to take the online “threats and weapons” course, Miami-Dade’s school board approves a $179 million settlement with charter schools, proposed rezoning to fill a new school in Palm Beach County would affect more than 600 students, Pasco’s new superintendent picks a deputy, and Orange County’s supervisor of elections will use $2.1 million in taxpayer money to create college scholarships in his own name. Here are details about those stories and others from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:

Miami-Dade: District officials recently made an $87 million payment to charter schools, the first of two payments that are part of a $179 million settlement with charters to share property tax revenues for teacher salaries. Superintendent Jose Dotres said he had intended to fight the legal action, but changed his mind after Palm Beach and Broward school officials settled with their charter schools over not sharing revenues from tax measures. “I never thought we would have to pay retroactively with interest. But this is where we are now,” said Dotres. “The political landscape in Florida has changed, and it is not in our favor.” Miami Herald.

Hillsborough: A 17-year-old junior in the International Baccalaureate program at Carrollwood Day School junior has turned a class project into a book she has self-published. Alice Sutton volunteers at the Open Arms program at Hyde Park United Methodist Church, serving food to homeless and low-income individuals and listening to their stories. From that, she has chronicled nearly 20 stories into We All Have a Story. Her work at the program and the book won her the school’s best personal project award. Tampa Bay Times.

Orange: School system officials are urging parents to take the district’s online “threats and weapons” course to avoid any misunderstanding about the consequences for students who make threats or bring weapons to schools. “It is crucial for parents and guardians to review this course to understand the implications fully and to have an informed discussion with their children,” read the e-mail. “Even threats made in jest can have significant, life-altering consequences, so it is essential to take this matter seriously.” WKMG. A 13-year-old student at Howard Middle School in Orlando was among those around the country who received an anonymous text last week telling her she had been assigned “to pick cotton at the nearest plantation.” The FBI, Federal Communications Commission and attorneys general in at least 32 states are investigating. Orlando Sentinel. WOFL.

Palm Beach: More than 600 elementary school students who live in five subdivisions on the west side of the county would get rezoned to attend a new school opening next fall under a proposal approved by a boundary advisory committee. The new school is needed to relieve overcrowding at Binks Elementary. That recommendation now goes to Superintendent Michael Burke, and if he approves it will go to the school board for consideration. Palm Beach Post.

Pasco: Newly elected school superintendent John Legg said Monday that he has chosen a current assistant superintendent to become his deputy. Betsy Kuhn, who joined the district in 2010 and was promoted to assistant superintendent for support services by retiring leader Kurt Browning, has been recommended to become the deputy superintendent. “She is not my assistant,” Legg said. “She is there by my side helping me guide our system to get it to the next level.” School board members will consider her appointment at a meeting next week. Tampa Bay Times.

Leon: Alphonso “Zoe” Dorsey, the building maintenance supervisor at Fairview Middle School in Tallahassee, has been named the school district’s school-related employee of the year. He’s now eligible for the statewide award. Tallahassee Democrat. A member of the Rickards High School band and his mother were killed Monday as they were driving the Veterans Day parade in downtown Tallahassee. A third passenger, another son who is in the band, was hospitalized. Police said the driver of a pickup truck lost control, went over a median and hit the car carrying the mother and her sons. Tallahassee Democrat. WCTV.

Flagler: An arrest of a paraprofessional for allegedly striking a special-needs student at Indian Trails Middle School in Palm Coast last week is the impetus for a renewed push to have cameras installed in classrooms with students who have disabilities. Stacey Hoaglund, president of the Autism Society of Florida, says the presence of cameras protects both teachers and students, and she is lobbying the Legislature to pass a bill requiring cameras in all special-needs classrooms. WTVT.

Dixie: The Future Farmers of America chapter at Dixie County High School has been awarded a national model of excellence award from the organization. Students in the club were honored for working with local garden clubs to landscape city hall with Florida native plants and drip irrigation and helping serve chicken dinners to local residents in need after Hurricane Idalia caused damage in the area. The chapter was formed in 1951, and this was its first national award. WCJB. Future Farmers of America.

Colleges and universities: Outgoing Orange County Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean has announced plans to spend $2.1 million of his office’s budget to create scholarships in his name for every graduating senior at Jones and Evans high schools to attend Valencia College or Orange Technical College. Local leaders are criticizing the decision as an “inappropriate” use of taxpayer funds. Orlando Sentinel. University of North Florida officials submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Education in January 2023 to switch accreditors. They’re still waiting for approval, and members of the state Board of Governors are criticizing the delay. Inside Higher Ed. A sports medicine center was opened last week on the University of West Florida campus. Sandy Sansing Sports Medicine Center is a $6 million, 10,000-square-foot facility providing care, physical therapy, and restorative treatments for student-athletes. WEAR. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Sapienza University of Rome have entered into a partnership to share research and joint initiatives. The deal was announced during Gov. Ron DeSantis’ trade mission to Italy. Florida Phoenix. Florida Politics.

State’s book removals: More than 700 books were removed from Florida school classrooms and libraries during the 2023-2024 academic year, the Florida Department of Education announced over the weekend. That’s an increase of 400 from the list of removals in 2022-2023. Among the titles on the latest list are Slaughter House-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and Native Son by Richard Wright. Stephana Ferrell, director of the Florida Freedom to Read Project, says the state’s list is an undercount. Central Florida Public Media.

Opinions on schools: There’s an important imbalance in our nation’s present approach to preparing students for the technological economy: We are emphasizing technician-level education (that is, sub-bachelor’s degree-level STEM education) at the expense of preparing students for bachelor’s degree-level STEM careers like engineering. Paul Cottle, Bridge to Tomorrow.


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BY NextSteps staff