Around the state: Potential changes to the state's property tax structure will be discussed by legislators today and tomorrow, Florida launches its first alternative AP course, gubernatorial candidates from both parties talk about school choice, a report chides Miami-Dade school officials for a lack of student proficiency, and Sarasota's school board approves a revised student code of conduct that deletes protection for certain groups. Here are details about those stories and others from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Miami-Dade: A report from a group of influential community leaders says the school district is failing in making sure students achieve proficiency in math and English language arts. "When 40 plus percent of our students are not reading at grade level and not doing math at grade level, then you know, we can do better," said Ana-Marie Codina, CEO of Codina Partners and a Partnership for Miami board member. She called education the foundation for society and the job market. Miami Herald.
Palm Beach: A school board member who is under fire for calling murdered conservative activist Charlie Kirk a "racist bigot" at a board meeting last week says he won't be bullied for his remarks and is not stepping down. Palm Beach Post. WPTV. WPEC. Superintendent Michael Burke received a perfect score from all seven school board members in his annual evaluation last week. Palm Beach Post. Thirty-two students and teachers had to be treated at hospitals after being pepper-sprayed during a fight last week in the Lake Worth Community High School lunchroom. A security officer was seen on a video administering the spray. Palm Beach Post. Sun Sentinel.
Lee: The owner of a farm and market who sued the school district when it terminated his contract to supply the district fruits and vegetables in 2020 has lost his appeal. Alfie Oakes contended in the lawsuit that the contract was canceled over his statements calling COVID-19 a "hoax" and his conservative views. District officials said the contract was killed over concerns about food safety, and both a lower court and an appeals court have now agreed. USA Today Florida Network. News Service of Florida.
Pasco: District officials say social media comments made by two teachers after Charlie Kirk's death were not "celebratory" or "disgusting" and the educators will not be punished. The district investigated the posts after two complaints were filed. Tampa Bay Times.
Volusia: The new $39 million Edith L. Starke Elementary School in DeLand reopens for students Tuesday. It replaces the old school, which sits around the corner and was built in the 1950s. WFTV. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Lake: A substitute teacher was pulled from her classroom by police and arrested last week for allegedly conspiring to smuggle drugs into the Orange County jail. Arnetta Bacon was taken into custody at Eustis Heights Elementary School, and later fired by the district. WFTV.
Sarasota: Terms such as race, disability, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation have been removed from the updated student code of conduct approved last week in a 3-2 vote by the school board. Instead, the code will simply state that all students have the right to a safe learning environment. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. A 39-acre, $8 million agricultural complex has opened beside McIntosh Middle School in Sarasota to offer students lessons in the business of farming. The Farm, as the complex is called, has students caring for livestock and learning about agriculture, aquaculture and culinary arts. Buildings include barns for cattle, hogs, sheep and goats, a central pole barn, greenhouses, and a food science lab and kitchen. Sarasota Magazine.
Escambia: Tax rates are going up to generate another $52 million a year for the school district. On a 4-1 vote last week, school board members approved the increase in millage rates, which are dollars of tax for every $1,000 of a property's taxable value, from .052 to 1.5. Board member Paul Fetsko says he opposes tax increases, but voted for this one because district costs haven't gone down. "We still have to air-condition (buildings)," he said. "We still have to pay the electric bills. Those haven’t gone down just because we have less students." WEAR.
Alachua: Teachers say they have reached an agreement with the school district on an allocation of $5 million for salary increases for teachers, bus drivers, support professionals, clerical staff and others. A meeting will be held this week to discuss how the money will be distributed and to finalize the deal. Union officials hope to have a contract ratified by the end of October. WCJB.
State's AP alternative: When Gov. Ron DeSantis took exception to Advanced Placement courses on African-American studies and psychology that touched on sexual orientation and gender issues two years ago because he considered them too "woke," the state put up $5 million to develop alternatives. This fall, the first of those courses was introduced but not in either of those areas. Instead, the state has rolled out the Florida Advanced Course and Test College Algebra, which education experts say is high school material that awards a college credit. Tampa Bay Times.
A taxing question: Legislators are meeting today and tomorrow in Tallahassee to talk about the possibility of changing property taxes, which are a substantial source of revenue for every school district. Much of the discussion will center on how the state can make up revenue lost if property taxes are reduced or even eliminated. USA Today Florida Network. WUSF. WFTV.
School choice and politics: Gubernatorial candidates from both parties backed school choice during recent campaign appearances. Republican Byron Donalds, a member of Congress representing a southwest Florida district, says he's a "supporter and believer in parental empowerment and true school choice" in all forms. David Jolly, a former Republican congressman who is now running as a Democrat, says "choice is here to stay," but that the state's universal choice program is "underserving" students and will require some changes. Florida Phoenix. Politico Florida. Florida Phoenix. USA Today Florida Network.
Punishments over Kirk: School districts across the state continue to punish teachers who made negative social media remarks about Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated Sept. 10 in Utah. USA Today Florida Network. Tampa Bay Times. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. WMBB. WJHG. Panama City News Herald. Florida's Voice. Florida Phoenix.
Opinions on schools: Politicians' push to reduce or eliminate property taxes carries a dark intention: shifting power away from local school boards and governments and into the hands of Tallahassee bureaucrats. Krys Fluker, Orlando Sentinel. When the government responds to critical social media posts by strapping on keyboard hall-monitor sashes, the targeting inevitably gets politically selective. Mark Lane, Daytona Beach News-Journal. If you don’t think the Sarasota County School Board's vote on the revised student code of conduct opens the door for more bullying of the kids who are the most likely to need protection, you’re sadly naïve. Roger Brown, Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
