Redirection of funds rejected: Incoming legislative leaders reject Gov. Rick Scott's call to allow school districts to use $58 million in unspent funds for school security. Scott proposed uncommitted money from the armed guardian fund be divided up among the state's districts to hire more officers or use on other security measures. But House Speaker-elect Jose Oliva, R-Hialeah, and incoming Senate President-elect Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, both say the money should stay in the armed guardian fund, and that the program needs time to grow. Many school districts favored school resource officers over arming school employees or security guards, and didn't apply for the guardian funds. Associated Press.
Top court gets Amendment 8: An appeal of a judge's decision this week to remove proposed constitutional Amendment 8 from the November ballot will skip the appeals process and be heard by the Florida Supreme Court. The state had appealed the decision to the First District Court of Appeal, which immediately passed it on to the top court because "involves a question of great public importance and requires immediate resolution." The court has asked the state to file its arguments by Monday. Amendment 8 would allow the state to create an entity that could authorize charter and public schools outside the jurisdiction of local school boards. It would also set term limits for school board members and require civics education. Monday, a Leon County judge ruled the proposal "fails to inform voters of the chief purpose and effect of this proposal.” Orlando Sentinel. Gradebook. Florida Phoenix. News Service of Florida. (more…)
Education bill: The Florida Senate passes a broad education bill that eliminates one test, the Algebra 2 end-of-course exam, pushes standardized testing toward the end of the school year, requires the Department of Education to study whether national tests like the SAT and ACT can be used as alternatives to the Florida Standards Assessments and other statewide tests, and requires 20 minutes of daily recess for all elementary school students. The measure now goes to the House. Today is the last day such a standalone bill can be approved. Miami Herald. Associated Press. Orlando Sentinel. Politico Florida. The bill also gives charter schools a path to quicker replication. redefinED.
Budget complaints: The Florida Association of District School Superintendents says the funding for K-12 public schools next year is "not sufficient to meet the basic funding needs of Florida's 2.8 million public school students." "Considering the overall economic strength of our state, it is alarming that the basic funding needs of Florida public school students could go unaddressed," said Malcolm Thomas, Escambia County superintendent and president of the FADSS. “This is just not acceptable,” added Palm County School Superintendent Robert Avossa. “It’s just disheartening to see the lack of investment.” Miami Herald. Pensacola News Journal. Sun-Sentinel. Palm Beach Post. Politico Florida. Orlando Sentinel. Citrus County Chronicle. Senate and House negotiators finalize an agreement on the $83 million state budget. The vote is Monday. News Service of Florida.
Interim superintendent: The Duval County School Board agrees to conduct a national search for a superintendent to replace the outgoing Nikolai Vitti, who is taking the superintendent's job with the Detrout schools. Until a replacement is found, an interim superintendent will be appointed with the stipulation that she or he will not be a candidate for the permanent job. Florida Times-Union. (more…)
