Term limits and elections: Incumbent school board members in all parts of the state were voted out of office in Tuesday’s primary, prompting Florida School Boards Association executive director Andrea Messina to declare that the term limits outlined in proposed constitutional Amendment 8 aren’t necessary. “I think voters are smart enough to keep elected officials that they believe are serving them well, and, whether true or not, if they see someone who needs to be replaced, voters are willing to replace them,” she says. Outgoing Collier County School Board member Erika Donalds, who sponsored the term limits measure on the Constitution Revision Commission, disagrees. “Voters never have had the chance to decide (on term limits for school board members),” she says. Amendment 8’s inclusion on the November ballot is uncertain. A judge ordered it removed recently, and the issue is now before the Florida Supreme Court. Oral arguments are Sept. 5. Gradebook.
Charter school approvals: The number of charter school applications received, and approved, is declining both in Florida and the United States, according to a new report from the National Association of Charter School Authorizers. In Florida, only 75 charter school applications were received in 2016 and just 31 were approved. That’s down from 236 applications in 2013 and 96 approvals. The total charter school enrollment continues to increase in the state, reaching 295,814. Across the United States, 222 fewer charter schools were approved in 2016 than in 2013. redefinED.
School security: A fatal shooting after a high school football game last week in Jacksonville prompts the Volusia, Flagler, Lee and Collier school boards to ban backpacks for adults and students from all events held in stadiums. Seminole and Orange had already made that decision. Daytona Beach News-Journal. Fort Myers News-Press. All Clay County schools now have Stop the Bleed kits, and teachers have been trained in using them in an emergency, as well as how to respond in an active shooter situation. Clay Today.
FBI and school-shooter tips: The FBI’s botched handling of two phone tips warning them that Nikolas Cruz was a potential school shooter before the Feb. 14 shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School raises questions about the agency’s call center. An investigation has found that the center is staffed by the FBI’s lowest-paid employees, that no one is required to document the information received, and that the second call was ignored because the first step was discounted. Now the FBI is chasing dubious tips for fear of making similar mistakes. Sun-Sentinel.
Student charged for false bomb threat: A student at Ruckel Middle School in Niceville faces charges of false reporting with intent to deceive, mislead or misinform concerning planting a bomb or deadly explosives. The charge is a second-degree felony. Northwest Florida Daily News.
School board undervote: Voter turnout for Tuesday’s primary was generally higher than usual, but not everyone votes in school board elections. The undercount was 15 percent in Pasco County, 13 percent in Pinellas, 8 percent in Hernando and 7.3 percent in Hillsborough. “Sadly, it’s very common, ballot fatigue,” says Brian Corley, Pasco supervisor of elections. “You’ll see it with the amendments in November, which personally frustrates me as an election administrator, because as we know, every vote matters.” Gradebook.
More on board elections: The Orange County supervisor of elections says votes will be recounted for the close District 1 and 7 school board races before winners are certified. Orlando Sentinel. Brevard County School Board member Andy Zeigler loses his bid for re-election, ending a ten year term on the board. Florida Today. The Sarasota School Board race shows a Sarasota divided. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Superintendent’s pay: The Clay County School Board is considering giving Superintendent Addison Davis a $28,900 annual raise to boost his salary to $163,380. “I’ve been thinking about this, for well, since we got our [A rating] grade, I’ll be honest,” says school board member Mary Bolla. Clay Today.
Superintendent’s goals: New Brevard County Superintendent Mark Mullins talks about his strategy to improve the school district and his goals. Florida Today.
Orange County Town Hall: Orange County School Board members held a town hall last night, discussing and answering questions about the district’s construction program. Orlando Sentinel
Principal steps aside: The principal at Olympic Heights High School in Palm Beach County is taking leave for the rest of the school year to care for his wife. David Clark has been at the school west of Boca Raton for seven years. His wife Ann Clark, an assistant principal at Polo Park Middle School, started a leave a few weeks ago to deal with ongoing health issues. Palm Beach Post.
Dress code concerns: A 12-year-old middle-schooler in Manatee is summoned to the principal’s office because one of her bra straps was showing. Her parents, who were called and told their daughter violated the dress code, are livid and call the enforcement of the code at Dan Nolan Middle School “militant” and “demoralizing.” Five months ago, a Manatee high school student who came to school without a bra was told to put bandages over her nipples. Bradenton Herald.
District to sell land: The Lee County School District has put nine of its properties up for sale or to trade them for other properties more suitable for a new school. “Basically that’s our assessment; they are not viable properties,” says Marc Mora, executive director of operations for the district. “Not that you couldn’t build a school on them. You could possibly do that, but they are not located in advantageous spots for us for transportation purposes, for development purposes.” The parcels range from 0.23 acres to 69, and range in price from $35,000 to $5 million. Fort Myers News-Press.
Rare enrollment dip: For the first time in years, enrollment at Boca Raton High School is down from last year. But the decline of 116 students from last year, and 291 fewer than were projected, is scarcely noticeable among the 3,397 students who attend the school built for 2,298. Palm Beach Post.
Educators arrested: A former Palm Beach County teacher is arrested in his Delray Beach home on charges of incest, sexual exploitation of minors and sexual assault in Canada. Owen Headley, 55, was a 5th-grade teacher at Hammock Pointe Elementary School hasn’t been in a classroom for more than a year, according to Palm Beach County School District authorities. Palm Beach Post. Sun-Sentinel. A former official at the Shiloh SDA Church School in Ocala is arrested and accused of lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of persons younger than 16. Ocala police say Murray Ramnarine, 67, had engaged in inappopriate behavior with a 12-year-old girl. Ramnarine had been the principal and also taught at the school, but says he resigned a few days ago. Ocala Star-Banner.
Teacher suspended: A South Walton High School teacher is placed on administrative leave for swearing at his students. Sean Libby, an AP human geography, world geography, personal development and leadership teacher, was recorded by a student in his class. The district is investigating. Northwest Florida Daily News.
Student arrested: An 18-year-old J.P. Taravella High School student is arrested and accused of threatening to shoot up her ex-boyfriend’s school, Piper High School in Sunrise. Police say she admitted making the threat, and did so because she was jealous of the boy’s new girlfriend. Sun-Sentinel.
Cheerleader injury: An Indian River County seventh grader was airlifted to a local hospital after getting kicked in the head during cheerleading practice. Her condition was not immediately available. TC Palm.
Bus stop incident: The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report of an aggravated assault at a bus stop that might have involved two students getting off the bus. Two men say they were approached by two people and threatened with a handgun. Bradenton Herald.
Polk community involvement: The Polk County School Board will hold a community involvement meeting on September 7th. There will be workshops on volunteering, parental involvement, and community partnership. Lakeland Ledger.
Opinions on schools: Education remains a top priority for voters, and they chose wisely Tuesday in school board races in both Hillsborough and Pinellas. They should be just as selective in November. Tampa Bay Times. Leading from the front on public education. Gainesville Sun. As vaping creates a new generation of nicotine addicts, whatever the FDA can do, it needs to do faster. TC Palm.
