Teacher bonuses: Broward County's decision to offer bonuses for highly rated teachers to work in at-risk schools is paying off, school officials say. At 28 low-income county schools, only 2 percent of teaching positions were vacant at the start of the school year. Before the bonuses program started four years ago, 30 percent of the jobs in those at-risk schools were unfilled. And about half of those 28 schools have improved their grade from the state. Sun-Sentinel.
School construction: Problems were reported in the air-conditioning systems at all 82 schools in the Brevard County School District in August, school officials say. Even as temperatures are dropping, there are still hundreds of issues reported each month. The problems are being reported at newer schools as well as the older ones. Florida Today. The Polk County School District has almost $448 million of unfunded new construction projects over the next 10 years, and $74 million in unfunded repair and renovation projects. School officials are hoping voters approve an extension of the half-cent sales tax in 2018. The tax brings in about $40 million a year. Lakeland Ledger. A new high school in Bonita Springs is just one of several projects the Lee County School District has in the works. Fort Myers News-Press.
Testing survey says: Almost 90 percent of students who took the online Florida Standards Assessments tests this year say they had no technical problems. But they still aren't happy with testing, according to a Florida Education Department survey. Students complain they are tested too much, and many prefer the paper and pencil tests to the computer versions. They also suggested breaks during the testing, refreshments, more comfortable chairs and warmer testing rooms. Orlando Sentinel.
Software deal: The Brevard County School District is considering terminating an $8 million software contract with Harris School Solutions. The software was purchased three years ago to manage the district's finances, contracts, human resource information, payroll and more. School officials say the software is not fully usable. Florida Today. (more…)
Naming rights: The Lee County School District is starting to see revenue from its decision to selling naming rights to schools' facilities such as athletic fields, performance halls and libraries, and to sell advertising on the main website. Fort Myers News-Press.
District problems: The Florida Board of Education is still looking for a long-term solution to the financial and academic problems in the Jefferson County School District. The district has yet to adopt a budget, and some board members are pushing for a state takeover or a constitutional amendment to change the rules governing school districts. WFSU.
Rezoning plan approved: A committee of parents and school officials narrowly approves a rezoning plan to ease overcrowding at middle and high schools in southwest Pasco County. The first public hearing on the new map is Dec. 20, and the school board is scheduled to vote on the proposal Jan. 17. Gradebook.
Drivers file suit: Bus drivers file a federal lawsuit against the Sarasota County School District, alleging they are not being paid for any work they do beyond the time the district estimates it takes to complete a route. The group of current and former drivers is calling the district's actions "wage theft." Saintpetersblog. (more…)
Open enrollment: Central Florida school districts are beginning to talk about how open enrollment will work. But school officials are already warning that there aren't a lot of schools with openings, and they expect plenty of confusion for parents when the new law goes into effect for the 2017-2018 school year. Orlando Sentinel.
Teacher shortage: About three months into the school year, more than 600 teaching vacancies remain unfilled in south Florida. Thousands of students are getting instruction from brand-new teachers and substitutes who may be unfamiliar with the subjects they are teaching. Sun-Sentinel.
Trump on education: With Donald Trump as president, Americans can expect more voucher programs and charter schools, and more uncertainty for struggling schools and immigrant students. Miami Herald.
Sales tax projects: The Palm Beach County School District will move quickly on several projects after voters approved an increase of a penny to the sales tax last week. Superintendent Robert Avossa says the district's first priorities will be to buy new school buses, replace some schools' roofs and upgrade classroom technology. The tax is expected to generate about $1.3 billion over the next 10 years for the district. Sun-Sentinel. Palm Beach County officials vow to closely monitor and track spending of the money from the sales tax increase. Sun-Sentinel. (more…)
Trump-related rhetoric: A Wesley Chapel High School teacher is placed on leave after approaching a small group of black students in a hallway, asking them what they were doing and then telling them "Don't make me call Donald Trump to get you sent back to Africa." John Sousa, who is also the golf coach, reportedly apologized to one of the students' parents. Many similar incidents are being reported in schools across the country, according to the website The 74. Tampa Bay Times.
Students protest Trump: About 25 students from Palmetto High School hold a peaceful protest against the election of Donald Trump as president. The chanting and sign-waving occurred during a break between classes. Miami Herald.
Election-related incidents: A student carrying a Donald Trump sign at Bayside High School is attacked and beaten by another student Wednesday. The 17-year-old attacker is arrested and charged with felony battery and more. Florida Today. Racist graffiti invoking the name of President-elect Donald Trump is painted on a bathroom wall at Oviedo High School. Orlando Sentinel. An Arnold High School teacher hangs an American flag upside down after the election, which is typically a signal that someone is in danger or distress. It was righted after a parent complained. Panama City News Herald.
Learning system concerns: Some parents and teachers say a computer learning system now being used in the Palm Beach County School District is adding to testing overload for students. The program, i-Ready, diagnoses students' problems with math and ready and gives them personalized lessons that help them catch up, but it also includes frequent testing. The program is used in 40 of Florida's 67 school districts. Sun-Sentinel. (more…)
School assignment query: The Florida Department of Education is investigating whether Duval County school officials followed the law in reassigning students from schools that were closed or revamped because of poor performance. The law requires districts to reassign students from failing schools to schools that have a grade of C or better, and the state says there are allegations that's not happening. Duval Superintendent Nikolai Vitti says he's confident the district has followed state guidelines. Florida Times-Union.
School choice: School choice advocates do well in Florida elections while the anti-choice teachers union, the Florida Education Association, has setbacks even after spending nearly $3 million on its preferred candidates. redefinED. Gradebook. Politico Florida. Experts say Donald Trump's educational policies are likely to include expanded parental choice, growth in voucher programs and more local control of schools, among other things. The Atlantic.
School elections: The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections hopes to declare a winner today in the District 7 school board race between Lynn Gray and Cathy James. Gray leads by a quarter of a percent, but 1,400 provisional ballots remain to be counted. Any difference under a half percent triggers an automatic recount. Gradebook. The Polk County Supervisor of Elections will decide Friday if a recount is required in the District 4 school board race between Sara Beth Reynolds and Becky Troutman. Reynolds leads by less than a quarter of a percent. Lakeland Ledger. Marianne Arbulu is elected superintendent of schools for Jefferson County. WFSU.
House education leader: State Rep. Michael Bileca, R-Miami, is named to direct education policy in the Florida House in the upcoming legislative session. Incoming House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes, made the appointment. Gradebook. (more…)
