Black and white students at Industrial class. Orange Park school, 1898. Clay County Archives.

In a report to northern missionaries in 1894, an Orange Park Pastor, Rev. T.S. Perry, described a beacon of integration in the Jim Crow South:

"On this very spot, where less than a generation ago gangs of slaves toiled under the overseer’s lash, and within rifle-shot of the plantation whipping post, their children are now developing into worthy citizenship; and youth, both white and colored, are growing up into enlightened Christian manhood and womanhood."

Today, 124 years later, that spot, the former site of Orange Park Normal and Industrial school, was finally recognized with a historic marker. (more…)

Testing exemption: A Florida court orders a hearing into a testing exemption granted to a Sarasota student with multiple disabilities. Maddie Drew's mother Paula lobbied the Department of Education for the exemption, which was denied but later approved after a suit was filed. But Drew wants the formal review, hoping to set a precedent for future students. Gradebook. Associated Press.

Superintendent re-evaluation: If further information comes out about sexual harassment charges against new Sarasota County School Superintendent Todd Bowden, the school board could reconsider the four-year contract it just approved, says board chairwoman Shirley Brown. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Superintendent evaluation: Palm Beach County School Superintendent Robert Avossa receives high marks in his annual evaluation from school board members. Avossa was praised for reform efforts and communication skills. Palm Beach Post.

Pay raise for subs: Substitute teachers in Palm Beach County are getting a pay raise. Subs with 30 hours of college credit or more will earn $11.33 an hour, while those with a bachelor’s degree will earn $13.39. Retired teachers will get $13.91 an hour. Palm Beach Post.

School security: The Broward County School District will push to upgrade security at Coral Springs High School. A month ago, a former student walked into the school with a loaded handgun. The school is one of 74 in the county without a single point of entry to limit access. Sun Sentinel. (more…)