Bathroom rights upheld: A federal judge rules that transgender student Drew Adams may use the boys bathrooms at Nease High School this year. U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan wrote that Adams “poses no threat to the privacy or safety of any of his fellow students. Rather, Drew Adams is just like every other student at Nease High School, a teenager coming of age in a complicated, uncertain and changing world. When it comes to his use of the bathroom, the law requires that he be treated like any other boy.” Officials at the St. Johns County school had ordered Adams, 18, to use gender-neutral bathrooms, prompting the discriination suit against the district. Florida Times-Union. St. Augustine Record. WJAX. WJXT.
Teacher pay: An analysis of Palm Beach County School District pay records shows that the district is paying teachers with 20 years of experience $3,000 a year less in 2018 than it did in 2008. The typical 30-year teacher is earning $2,100 less, and a typical 15-year teacher is making $1,000 less. It's happened because teacher pay was frozen during the recession, salary schedules were abandoned, and the district then shifted more money toward starting pay and younger teachers. Palm Beach Post.
Tight budgets: It's school budget season, and districts are struggling to make ends meet with the funding they're receiving from the state. Officials are trying to slash costs in ways that will not violate the state's class-size amendment and least affect students, and in some cases are dipping in to reserves to close deficits. "We really try to hold schools harmless and keep them out of the fray when it comes to budget reductions," says Pasco County assistant superintendent Kevin Shibley. Tampa Bay Times. The Marion County School District needs at least $422 million for building and renovation projects over the next five years but will receive only $60.5 million. “In order to get by, we have to piecemeal many projects,” says Robert Knight, the district’s supervisor of facilities. “There is not enough money for everything.” Ocala Star-Banner. (more…)
School enrollment: State economists predict that public schools enrollment in Florida will be 2.82 million next year, down slightly from the July forecast of 2.83 million. They say that will help with the state's budget problems, but they still expect lawmakers to have to deal with a $450 million shortfall. Last year's gap was covered by the Legislature from the state budget, but House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes, has said not to expect that to happen again next year. Naples Daily News.
Spending splurge: Over the past two years, Orange County School Board members have spent about $500,000 with little public oversight. Each of the eight members receives $40,000 a year to spend at his or her own discretion. It's the only central Florida school district with such a fund. Board members say they use the money to pay for extras. Among the extras was $2,500 a board member spent for a school mural that depicts herself. Orlando Sentinel.
Teacher preparation: Many Florida colleges do a poor job of preparing prospective elementary school teachers to teach math, according to a study by the National Council on Teacher Quality. Most of the Florida colleges reviewed received an F grade in this category. Orlando Sentinel.
Administrator under fire: An investigation concludes a Broward County school administrator misused his position while carrying on an affair with a school district community liaison. The district's Professional Standards Committee recommends that Israel Canales be fired. Canales, 54, is a manager of administrative support for the district. Canales says he will fight any move to fire him. Sun-Sentinel. (more…)
