Leon County Schools reports success in ‘recruiting back’ students

Administrators heralded success “recruiting back” students to district schools during Tuesday’s board meeting. At least 500 students have returned to the district since it created “Charter Choice” in 2012, said Assistant Superintendent Michelle Gayle. The funding followed these students, too, Gayle said — “restoring” almost $2 million to Leon County Schools. Charter Choice is a program that aims…

Florida leads nation in Zika as CDC confronts threat

WASHINGTON – Florida health officials have been pretty successful controlling recent outbreaks of Dengue fever and the chikungunya virus. Zika is shaping up to be far more challenging. Obama administration officials said Monday the virus’ broad health consequences and ability to spread through sexual contact make it much harder to combat than other mosquito-borne diseases.…

When charter schools close, taxpayer-funded property often goes missing

Some South Florida charter schools have been known to vanish quickly, and so have their taxpayer-funded books, computers and furniture. School districts are required to inventory charter school property before and after a school closes. Districts can then use the returned property at other traditional or charter schools in the county. Read full article

Trial challenging Florida’s education framework wraps up in Tallahassee

TALLAHASSEE- A four-week trial challenging Florida’s entire public education system and its hallmark components — such as standardized testing, school grades and “school choice” options, like charter schools — concluded Friday. Numerous witnesses, including state Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, testified in Leon County Circuit Court during the trial, which began in mid-March. Judge George Reynolds…