Issues for BOE: In its only meeting before the legislative sessions begins March 5, the Florida Board of Education urges lawmakers to boost funding for armed security and mental health services in schools, and to give districts greater flexibility on how they deploy the guardian program that arms school staff. Also, new Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran wants to streamline the application process for Hope Scholarships for bullied students, and said unused funds could be redirected into other programs, and Escambia Superintendent Malcolm Thomas pleaded for more help for districts that were devastated by Hurricane Michael. Gradebook. News Service of Florida. Politico Florida. Pensacola News Journal. BOE members say they could consider differentiated pay to help address the teacher shortage. WFSU. Corcoran will be paid $276,000 a year, the same as his predecessor Pam Stewart. Associated Press.
School closings expected: Bay County School Superintendent Bill Husfelt says a loss of students and the repair bills for schools damaged by Hurricane Michael last October will force the closing of some schools. The district has lost nearly 2,500 students, a number that could increase to 4,700, and faces repair bills of up to $300 million. Husfelt says most of the closings will be elementary schools. “Financially, we just can’t afford to keep all of our schools open at the low level some of them are at, so we’re going to have to make some decisions," he says. Panama City News Herald. (more…)
Retention appeal: The Florida Department of Education and two schools districts are appealing a judge's ruling last week against the state's policy for retaining third-graders. Leon County Judge Karen Gievers said the state was wrongly holding back third-graders who do poorly on the state Florida Standards Assessments tests or opt out from taking them. She ordered the state and six districts that were sued to allow students to present a portfolio of work to demonstrate their readiness for fourth grade. Orange and Hernando counties joined in the appeal. Orlando Sentinel. Meanwhile, the Hernando County School District promoted three students who were involved in the lawsuit, but did not assign them to their school of choice. Tampa Bay Times.
Superintendent pay: The Lake County School Board is prepared to pay a new superintendent up to 23 percent more than it's paying the retiring one. Current Superintendent Susan Moxley makes $159,000 in base pay, and received $17,000 in bonuses. She is retiring June 30, 2017, and the board is willing to pay her successor a base rate of $195,000, with performance bonuses up to $34,000. Daily Commercial. Orlando Sentinel.
School enrollment: Enrollment jumps to 27,163 in the Alachua County School District, up 3 percent over last year, and some schools are over capacity. Idylwild Elementary, with a capacity of 575 students, now has 800, up from 750 last year. Gainesville Sun. At the 10-day count, the Highlands County School District shows a slight increase in student enrollment over last year. When school opened, enrollment was down 100. Highlands Today.
Parking artists: Seniors at West Orange High School in Winter Garden are permitted to paint their personal parking spots to express their personalities and other favorite things. The designs have to be approved by school officials. Teen Vogue. People. StreetArtNews. (more…)
