Around the state: A tax referendum is moving forward in Hillsborough, metal detectors caused delays in Broward and one university official sent a letter that asks for leaders to resign. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Miami-Dade: A Miami-Dade Public Schools psychologist was arrested on child pornography charges, according to police. Miami Herald.
Broward: School officials apologized for the chaos on the first day of school caused by the district rolling out new metal detectors that caused delays as hundreds of high school students were standing in lines waiting to enter schools. A district spokesperson warned delays may continue this week as staff make adjustments, but said the superintendent will ensure Monday’s lines aren’t replicated. The metal detectors were rolled out at 38 schools on Monday. It was an effort that was intended to improve school safety and security after a gunman killed 17 people and injured 17 others at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. Officials on Tuesday hoped to remedy the issues faced by students. “We want to definitely apologize to our public because we know this is a stressful time, it’s a new routine for students,” said Superintendent Howard Hepburn. He said larger schools will be receiving additional metal detectors. Miami Herald. Associated Press. WSVN. WLRN.
Hillsborough: On Tuesday, County Commissioners here agreed to put a schools tax referendum on the November ballot just in time for a deadline imposed by a judge and also vowed to continue the legal battle to delay putting the tax question to voters until 2026. With a shortage of more than 400 classroom teachers and neighboring counties able to pay more, the school district plans to ask voters to consider paying $1 per $1,000 in taxable property value. Attorneys in the case are keeping a close eye on the appeals court for any rulings. Tampa Bay Times.
Lee: Students in this county headed back to school with celebratory entrances. There is an estimated 102,791 students in the district, including charter schools, according to last year’s official numbers.”We expect enrollment to increase this year,” said district spokesman Robert Spicker. The official count takes place in October. Ft. Myers News-Press.
Sarasota: A 12-year-old girl was accidentally run over by her mother during the first day of school drop-off near Booker Middle School, officials at the Florida Highway Patrol say. The child was airlifted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg in critical condition. Counselors were available at the school for students who needed help coping with what occurred. ABC Action News. Fox 13. USA Today. WFTV. Meanwhile, in Sarasota County, the district’s full-time enrollment in public schools decreased by 334 students as a result of increased use of Family Empowerment Scholarship vouchers. School Board Chairwoman Karen Rose spoke at a recent press conference, saying “The performance and academic achievement is growing, and we couldn’t be more proud of that as a School Board. We’re looking forward to partnering with our community and providing the highest quality schools and service to you.” Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Colleges and universities: Some colleges and students are finding ways to better respond to overdose rates among young people. A group is organizing students on 28 campuses to distribute and use Narcan. NPR. Meanwhile, USF faculty say a new state law that requires professors to undergo more frequent evaluations to earn tenure, in addition to restrictions on topics about DEI or race, are causing some to leave. “Morale has dropped significantly,” said Dana Thompson Dorsey, a tenured professor in USF’s College of Education. WUSF. At Florida A&M University, Interim President Dr. Timothy Beard sent a letter to members of the university leadership team that called on them to resign by the end of the day on Aug. 13. In the letter that is dated Aug. 12, Beard wrote, “after careful consideration and in consultation with the Board of Trustees, the past University President, and from my observations, I have concluded that a change in our senior leadership team is necessary to move forward more effectively.” ABC Action News. Tallahassee Democrat. At Florida Southern College, the new president is Jeremy Martin, who is the 18th president of the Lakeland-based Methodist college and the first new leader in 20 years after Anne Kerr’s retirement. He oversees about 2,700 undergraduates and another 600 graduate students. Lkld Now. Raises were approved by trustees for faculty and staff at University of Florida. Main Street Daily News.
Opinions on schools: The most robust form of accountability, the kind that produces meaningful rewards and consequences for schools, is financial and comes with an exit option. Matthew Ladner, NextSteps. Let us savor this moment that saw 432,000 students restart sacred routines in Tampa Bay. Let us enjoy the sweetness before feuds with friends, before the whipsaw of emotions and body chemicals. Before the tests get harder, before the team rosters go up and the egos come crashing down. Stephanie Hayes, Tampa Bay Times.
