Around the state: Duval’s school board approves yet another settlement over sexual misconduct by a district teacher, a bill proposes making adjustments to the Bright Futures requirements to expand the field of qualifiers, a Volusia school board member steps away from the role of chair after making controversial comments, St. Johns school officials are asking the state to end the regular testing required for teachers to retain certification, and telehealth services are now available at all Holmes County schools. Here are details about those stories and others from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Duval: School board have approved paying $365,000 to settle a lawsuit filed against the district over the sexual misconduct of a former Douglas Anderson School of the Arts teacher. Jeffrey Clayton, 65, who taught art at the school for two decades, was arrested in March 2023 for his conduct with a 16-year-old student, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Three previous victims also settled suits over Clayton’s behavior for a collective $1.45 million. WJXT. Jacksonville Today.
Volusia: School board chair Jessie Thompson is stepping down from the leadership position almost a month after it was discovered she made disparaging comments about Deltona High School students, questioned the legitimacy of the school’s graduation rate, and said she faked data to get some school security measures enacted. She will remain on the board, representing District 3. Daytona Beach News-Journal. WKMG. WESH. WOFL.
St. Johns: School district officials are asking the legislative delegation to pressure the state into ending the requirement that teachers pass a general knowledge test every five years to remain certified. “Our educators who have been around for 10-15 years, they already know how to teach,” said Brennan Asplen, deputy superintendent of operations. “Why continue to burden them with the test? We want to make things less burdensome and overwhelming, especially for our new folks, so that they stick around.” WJAX.
Putnam: Two new schools that were intended to take K-6 students are now changing course. Palatka Intermediate School will enroll students in grades 3-6 when it opens in the fall of 2026, while Palatka Primary will be a K-2 school. Its construction is scheduled during the 2026-2027 school year. Superintendent Rick Surrency said the change is intended, in part, to minimize the impact of student mobility between elementary schools, eliminate multiple rounds of rezoning and give every current K-4 student the opportunity to attend a new facility. WJXT.
Holmes: Telehealth services are now being offered to students at all public schools through a partnership between the district and PanCare of Florida. Free services include diagnosis and treatment, lab testing and prescriptions. WJHG.
Colleges and universities: Indian River State College has been authorized by the state to sponsor charter schools. IRSC is the third college in the state to receive the designation from the Florida Department of Education. The college already operates the Clark Advanced Learning Center and Indiantown High School charter schools. Indian River State College.
Proposed legislative bills: Among the nearly 120 bills filed so far for the 60-day legislative session that begins March 4 are HB 17, which would aim to help “minority and underrepresented students” by adjusting the requirements to qualify for Bright Futures Scholarships; HB 37, which would require teachers to receive training on mass casualty incidents; and HB 99, which would allow students in English for speakers of other languages programs to qualify for high school graduation by demonstrating “grade-level expectations on formative assessments” in lieu of passing the state’s standardized Algebra I end-of-course test. WKMG.
Opinions on schools: Florida provides for families wishing to attend private schools. The state also provides a more effective and efficient public school system for those who do not. Those factors, plus the weather, tax rates, business climate and more, may accelerate the century-long trend of people moving to Florida. Matthew Ladner, NextSteps. While some may say it is a “parent’s choice” in the educational content we provide, we owe it to our nation’s children to give them a transparent, empowering education through social studies that prepares them for the future which seems to be filled with misinformation. Brayden Pryor, Orlando Sentinel. The Lastinger Center’s call for the state to provide the same academic support infrastructure for math as it already provides for reading is right on target. But the most important element of that should be a crash program to recruit and retain more individuals who are strong in math to the Florida public school teaching corps. Paul Cottle, Bridge to Tomorrow.
