Charter schools expansion: A bill that could expand the number of charter schools in low-income neighborhoods in Florida is passed by the PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee. The bill would allow "Schools of Hope" charters to open in 427 financially struggling neighborhoods with persistently low-performing schools that are designated as "opportunity zones" by President Trump's tax bill of 2017. The bill also would allow the schools to open near traditional public schools that received grades from the state lower than C in three of the past five years. The current law does not mention "opportunity zones," and requires those traditional public schools to receive D or F grades for three consecutive years before Schools of Hope would be encouraged to open nearby. Gradebook.
Disqualification list: The Senate Education Committee is considering a bill today that would create a "disqualification list" of teachers who have been involved in serious disciplinary actions. The list would include teachers from traditional public schools, charter schools and private schools that accept scholarship money, and districts and schools would be barred from hiring anyone whose name appears on the list. Private schools that hire an individual on the list could be closed by the education commissioner. Florida Phoenix. (more…)
Student walkout: Students from hundreds of U.S. schools walked out Wednesday to show their support for the Second Amendment. The walkout, called "Stand for the Second," was initiated by New Mexico student Will Riley to show that not all students agreed with the gun-control walkouts organized last month by students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after a gunman killed 17 people there Feb. 14. Wednesday's rally lasted for 16 minutes - one minute less than the gun-control walkout April 20. USA Today. The 74. Huffington Post. Tallahassee Democrat.
School security: The Sarasota County School Board begins the process of building an internal police department by approving job descriptions for a police chief and sergeant. The vote was 3-2, with chairwoman Bridget Ziegler saying she had “grave concerns” about moving away from a system based on school resource officers from outside law enforcement agencies. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. St. Johns County School Board members are calling for a joint meeting with county commissioners to pay for required school security measures. “It’s a community issue,” says board chair Bill Mignon. “It’s not just a school board issue.” St. Augustine Record. The Tarpon Springs City Commission approves a proposal to hire two police officers to help the Pinellas County School District fulfill a state mandate to have armed security in every school. Tampa Bay Times. Bay County school officials are struggling to balance the need for school safety with the wish to make visitors comfortable in going to schools for events. Panama City News Herald. Two cities in Clay County want to provide school resource officers to schools. Green Cove Springs is asking the school board for part of the money to supply officers, and Orange Park also is offering to negotiate for the use of its officers. Clay Today.
Tax hike considered: The Palm Beach County District is considering asking voters to approve a property tax increase to boost teacher salaries and help pay for school security and mental health services. The requested amount has not been set, though school board members have discussed adding $100 on every $100,000 of taxable property value, which could raise as much as $153 million a year. If the board approves the proposal when it meets June 20, it would go before voters in the November general election. Palm Beach Post. Sun-Sentinel.
