Legal challenges: Legal challenges to seven of the 13 proposed constitutional amendments are expected to be settled this week. Two amendments, 6 and 8, have already been ordered off the ballot by judges for being misleading, and five others are pending. Amendment 8 bunches three education issues into a single yes or no vote: term limits for school board members, mandatory civics education in schools and the creation of an entity other than local school boards that can approve charter and public schools. The Florida Division of Elections says all issues must be finalized soon because it has to finish printing the ballots by Sept. 22 in order to get them to overseas voters. The election is Nov. 6. Watchdog.org. The state files its brief to the Florida Supreme Court in its appeal of of a judge's removal of Amendment 8, contending the amendment "fully and accurately advises the electorate" about its purpose. The League of Women Voters has until Wednesday to respond. Oral arguments will be heard Sept. 5. Gradebook. Florida Phoenix. News Service of Florida.
School security: Security was tightened at Jacksonville Raines and Lee high schools Monday in response to Friday's shootings at the football game between the schools. One man was killed and two others were wounded in what police are calling a gang incident. Counselors were also brought in to talk with students needing support. Later in the day, Duval County Superintendent Diana Greene announced that earlier kickoff times and different game days will begin immediately for high school football games while school officials work on a permanent plan to address violence at after-school events. Florida Times-Union. WJXT. A school guardian at Kinnan Elementary School in Manatee County is temporarily reassigned while the district investigates his Facebook postings sharing conspiracy theories and his membership in an organization that some call an antigovernment extremist group. Bradenton Herald. The Port Orange City Council postpones a vote on helping the Volusia County School District pay for school guardians after three members say they have a conflict of interest. Port Orange Observer. (more…)
Redirection of funds rejected: Incoming legislative leaders reject Gov. Rick Scott's call to allow school districts to use $58 million in unspent funds for school security. Scott proposed uncommitted money from the armed guardian fund be divided up among the state's districts to hire more officers or use on other security measures. But House Speaker-elect Jose Oliva, R-Hialeah, and incoming Senate President-elect Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, both say the money should stay in the armed guardian fund, and that the program needs time to grow. Many school districts favored school resource officers over arming school employees or security guards, and didn't apply for the guardian funds. Associated Press.
Top court gets Amendment 8: An appeal of a judge's decision this week to remove proposed constitutional Amendment 8 from the November ballot will skip the appeals process and be heard by the Florida Supreme Court. The state had appealed the decision to the First District Court of Appeal, which immediately passed it on to the top court because "involves a question of great public importance and requires immediate resolution." The court has asked the state to file its arguments by Monday. Amendment 8 would allow the state to create an entity that could authorize charter and public schools outside the jurisdiction of local school boards. It would also set term limits for school board members and require civics education. Monday, a Leon County judge ruled the proposal "fails to inform voters of the chief purpose and effect of this proposal.” Orlando Sentinel. Gradebook. Florida Phoenix. News Service of Florida. (more…)
