Teacher bonuses: More than 163,500 Florida teachers qualify for bonuses under the state's Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship Program, according to Florida Department of Education data. The bonuses range from $800 to $7,200. More than 9,000 will get the top awards. They qualify by being rated highly effective and scoring in the top 20 percent when they took the ACT or SAT. Also receiving bonuses of $4,000 or $5,000 are 638 principals. The state will spend almost $215 million on the bonuses, which will be paid by April 1. The bonus program was created in 2015 but has been controversial, and the Legislature is considering bills this year to amend it. Orlando Sentinel.
More on Nikolas Cruz: Suspected school shooter Nikolas Cruz would plead guilty to killing 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland to avoid the death penalty, according to his lawyer. Sun-Sentinel. The FBI apologizes for not following up a tip in January that Cruz may have been planning a school shooting. Miami Herald. Associated Press. The Florida Department of Children and Families investigated Cruz after he made threatening posts on social media, but determined he was a low risk to harm himself or others. Sun-Sentinel. Miami Herald. Cruz was regularly in trouble for cussing, insulting people and disrupting classes when he attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, according to his disciplinary file. Sun-Sentinel. The couple who took Cruz into their home after his mother died say, “We had this monster living under our roof and we didn’t know. We didn’t see this side of him.” A longtime friend also called Cruz "lonely and ostracized." Sun-Sentinel. Miami Herald.
Other developments: Broward Superintendent Robert Runcie says the district is proposing to tear down Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Legislators agree. Runcie also says the school will remain closed through at least Wednesday. Sun-Sentinel. Palm Beach Post. A hospital spokesperson says the last critically injured victim of the shooting is improving. Sun-Sentinel. Stoneman Douglas principal Ty Thompson posts an emotional video message for the community. Sun-Sentinel. These are the heroes of the massacre. Miami Herald. CNN. More than nine out of 10 U.S. public schools now hold regular active shooter drills. Vox. An expert on school security warns officials to avoid "knee-jerk" reactions to improving security, and lists several things districts can do now to lead to safer schools. New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Superintendent investigated: Leon County School Superintendent Jackie Pons is under investigation after "possibly compromising" photos were given anonymously to district officials. The photos apparently show Pons getting into and out of a car with a female district employee in a heavily wooded area. Pons, who lost his bid for re-election and leaves office Tuesday, will be investigated by an outside firm. Tallahassee Democrat. WFSU.
Raise request: Palm Beach County School Superintendent Robert Avossa is asking the school board for a $10,000 a year raise. Avossa, who is the state's highest-paid superintendent at $325,000 a year, was given a highly effective rating by board members earlier this month. Palm Beach Post.
Open enrollment: Pasco County schools that are at 90 percent or higher capacity will be closed to transfers if the school board approves the district's proposed rules. In-county students will get first preference at those schools under 90 percent. The new state law allowing a student to transfer to any school that has an available seat takes effect next fall. Gradebook.
School may close: The only elementary school in Jefferson County could close by Christmas. A state financial oversight board has given the school district until Nov. 30 to submit a school transition plan and budget. New Superintendent Mary Ann Arbulu, who takes office Nov. 22, has asked for more time. If Jefferson Elementary is closed, students will be sent to Jefferson Middle. The district is down to 700 students and has struggled with its finances and poor grades from the state. WFSU. (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…)
