It’s been one year since I took my seat as a Collier County School Board member, so I have been reflecting on what I have learned about being an effective board member and practicing good governance. Through a variety of trainings provided by the Florida School Boards Association, as well as district personnel, I understand…
A ban on state support for religious groups would be removed from the Florida Constitution under a proposal approved Wednesday by a Constitution Revision Commission panel.In a 5-1 vote, the commission’s Declaration of Rights Committee endorsed a measure (Proposal 4) that would eliminate the Constitution’s so-called “no-aid” provision, which prohibits public funding “directly or indirectly”…
Pinellas County school superintendent Mike Grego has been named the 2018 Florida Superintendent of the Year, in part because of his efforts to attack the achievement gap between black and non-black students.The announcement by the Florida Association of School District Superintendents came Wednesday morning during the organization’s joint meeting in Tampa with the Florida School…
A parent in Florida is citing profanity and violence in trying to get the local school to ban Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” — itself a cautionary tale on the banning of books. Another wants to remove Walter Dean Myers’ “Bad Boy” for using the word “penis” and a homophobic slur. Elsewhere in Florida, some say…
The Florida Constitution Revision Committee continues its quest of meddling in Florida’s Constitution rather than mending it. Monday, the group will consider three measures connected to county school boards and superintendents. Read More
Officials in nearly a dozen states are preparing to notify families that a crucial health insurance program for low-income children is running out of money for the first time since its creation two decades ago, putting coverage for many at risk by the end of the year. Congress missed a Sept. 30 deadline to extend funding…
Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission, which meets every 20 years to propose changes to the state constitution, has finalized its proposed amendments: (Provides brief summary of each proposed amendment) Read More
A proposal to impose term limits on school board members will be taken up Monday as the Florida Constitution Revision Commission begins to evaluate 103 measures aimed at changing the state constitution.The term-limit measure (Proposal 43) is sponsored by Commissioner Erika Donalds, a Collier County School Board member. Read More
State Sen. Dennis Baxley, who once said controversy about evolution being taught in public schools “will never be over,” wants to make Florida school districts teach “controversial theories” in science subjects in a “balanced” manner. Baxley, R-Ocala, filed a bill Friday that would alter Florida’s academic standards in several key ways. His bill would give…
The Legislature held a fifth round of Interim Committee Meetings last week, Governor Scott released his 2018 Budget Recommendations, the Constitution Revision Commission is considering 103 proposed amendments to the Constitution, and Congress is moving forward with the 2018 federal budget and competing tax reform packages. Please click on the links below to access our…