Florida School Boards Association
Florida school districts dramatically increased their use of a loophole in the state’s class size law last year, according to newly released Department of Education data that’s bolstering lawmakers’ call for changes to the rule. By the numbers, districts identified 56 percent more of their schools as “schools of choice” in 2014-15 than a year…
Changing the way the Volusia County school district pays for health insurance could save more than $12 million, freeing up money to give salary increases to employees, district officials say. But while the Volusia Teachers Organization has been lobbying for a pay raise, the union isn’t happy with the proposal. That’s because teachers would have to pick…
MEDIA ADVISORY FROM DR. LAWRENCE FELDMAN The Mexican-American Council recently honored School Board Vice Chair Dr. Lawrence Feldman with The Champion of Education Farmworkers Award in recognition of his generosity, support and leadership in promoting education equality for farmworker children during the Farmworker Celebration Luncheon. The event celebrated at Rancho Victoria honored local and state…
The lines have been clearly drawn in Florida’s approach to setting the “cut” scores for the Florida Standards Assessments five achievement levels. Some State Board of Education members have called for connecting the scores to NAEP proficiency levels, a position forcefully promoted by state business interests and former Gov. Jeb Bush’s education foundation. Education Commissioner…
Florida is a state that juts out into the water and is home to 14 ports — but still the maritime industry is a mystery to most teens. Now, a rapidly aging workforce in one of the state’s major economic engines is behind a push to reach a younger generation and teach them about sea-going…
With senators in his own party voicing skepticism, Republican Gov. Rick Scott’s budget director has sent a letter to executive branch agencies, making the case for $1 billion in tax cuts in the next legislative session in addition to a new $250 million fund to attract jobs and a multitude of high-dollar demands by the…
TALLAHASSEE – Just because the Legislature has been in town doesn’t mean they’re getting much done. With the annual legislative session set to begin in early January, state lawmakers have spent four of the last seven weeks in Tallahassee for committee hearings, the first critical step in passing legislation and writing a state budget. Yet…
Florida’s school districts would face fundamental changes in the way they operate under a newly filed bill by a Pinellas County lawmaker. Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, has joined Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-Fort Myers, to propose a constitutional amendment ending the requirement that all counties have independent school districts. If approved, the measure would result…
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Nearly 61 percent of St. Johns County voters voted to boost the sales tax to 6.5 percent in order to raise additional revenue for public schools. Just before 9 p.m., the last of the county’s 46 precincts was counted. Of 35,051 ballots cast, the referendum passed by a margin of 7,577…
A majority of Florida’s school districts have no policy on the use of social media by teachers and other employees, increasing the potential for misuse and inappropriate teacher-student relationships online, according to an analysis conducted by a University of Florida educational leadership scholar. Doctoral candidate Jesse Gates found that only 32 of the state’s 68…