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Elia on FCAT: "We remain concerned"
Hillsborough schools superintendent MaryEllen Elia met today with Florida education commissioner Eric J. Smith and Gov. Charlie Crist amid a continuing audit of possible FCAT scoring problems that Elia and other superintendents raised earlier in July.
Before the meeting, K-12 chancellor Frances Haithcock put out a memo saying the superintendents' worries appeared unfounded, though the final results are not yet in.
Not so fast, Elia said in statement her office just released: "We remain concerned, and many of the questions raised by the districts remain unanswered. The commissioner reassured us that he had not reached any conclusions and that the external review is ongoing."
Read on for her full comments. ... Read more
Let the community decide on taxes, Pasco School Board candidate Armstrong says
Pasco School Board candidate Cynthia Armstrong was not among those supporting the board's decision to increase the local property tax rate by 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Without clear public backing, she said, the board should not impose such a tax.
"I think it should definitely go on the ballot," Armstrong told the Gradebook. "By having it on the ballot, that will give the School Board a real clear indication of what the public wants -- more money or cut services. ... I would hope they would tell us to do it next year."
Armstrong, a Realtor, is not a proponent of property taxes to fund public education. She proposes working with Florida lawmakers to change the funding source.
"The property tax system is broken, unreliable and unfair," Armstrong said. "If we continue to use it, we're going to continue to run into problems. The funding for schools shouldn't rely on property values going up and down. The best alternative is a sales tax. ... It does fluctuate, but I feel it's more stable than the values of homes."
To learn more about Armstrong's views, continue on to see her responses to a St. Petersburg Times questionnaire. ... Read more
Pinellas unveils information and communication system for teachers, parents, students
Pinellas parents, you'll want to read this district press release now and check out this new system ASAP:
Pinellas County Schools is proud to announce the launch of its new gateway to information and learning: PCS Portal. Effective today, parents, teachers, students and staff will log into one single website to access information and communicate through online exchanges. The new online system replaces the ParentCONNECTxp system. PCS Portal will allow parents to get the latest school information and event calendar, review their child’s grades, absences and referrals, participate in educational video lessons, and communicate interactively with their child’s teacher, all with the touch of a button. ... Read more
President Barack Obama: 'Our goal is accountability'
From President Obama's speech today to the National Urban League:
So, I want teachers to have higher salaries. I want them to have more support. I want them to be trained like the professionals they are - with rigorous residencies like the ones doctors go through. I want to give them career ladders so they have opportunities to advance, and earn real financial security. I want them to have a fulfilling and supportive workplace environment, and the resources - from basic supplies to reasonable class sizes - to help them succeed. Instead of a culture where we're always idolizing sports stars or celebrities, I want us to build a culture where we idolize the people who shape our children's future.
All I'm asking in return - as a president, and as a parent - is a measure of accountability. ... Read more
No growth for Imagine School at Land O'Lakes
Kathy Helean came before the Pasco County School Board this week to introduce herself as the new principal of Imagine School at Land O'Lakes.
She received a warm welcome. And yet, when the item she had come to support on the agenda arose -- a request to add about 100 students to the charter school's enrollment cap -- Helean got the cold shoulder.
Board vice chairwoman Joanne Hurley stressed that the district supports and appreciates charter schools. But the district cannot deal with such requests so late into the summer, she said, acknowledging staff concerns that Imagine failed to meet several district deadlines that would have made such an increase possible earlier in the year.
To allow Imagine more students now would wreak havoc on the district's budget, chief finance officer Olga Swinson warned the board. That was enough to sway board member Kathryn Starkey, who stood ready to back the school's request until getting that detail. ... Read more
Fundamental school parents keeping tabs on Pinellas board candidates
Pinellas School Board elections are typically low-turnout affairs, so a motivated, energized block can make a big difference. It remains to be seen whether fundamental school parents, who organized with urgency last fall, will be such a force. But there's no doubt they're listening closely to what the candidates are saying, and no doubt that fundamental schools have emerged as an issue.
The Fundamental Schools Advocacy Network compiled the candidates' statements on fundamental schools for a recent e-mail blast, reprinted below. The group says it's not planning to endorse candidates. ... Read more
The FCAT's all right, Florida Department of Education suggests
It's not over yet. But the independent audit of this spring's FCAT results seems to indicate that the scores some superintendents complained about are not as out of whack as they suggested, K-12 chancellor Frances Haithcock wrote in a memo to districts late Wednesday. She stressed that no conclusions have yet been reached.
The department invited several superintendents and testing coordinators, including Hillsborough's MaryEllen Elia and Sam Whitten, to go over the information collected so far.
The final results aren't expected until next week at the earliest. But the conversation continues, the DOE said, to keep the lines of communication open between districts and the state.
Read on for Haithcock's memo to superintendents. (See the documents referred to in the memo here.) ... Read more
Florida education news: Classroom mentors, student uniforms, school taxes and more
HERE TO HELP: Hillsborough schools enter a new, Gates Foundation-funded era where mentors will spend time guiding new teachers to classroom success. (Times photo, Stephen J. Coddington)
SCHOOL LEADERS: About 20 Wesley Chapel High upperclassmen learn about leadership in preparation to advise freshmen throughout the school year.
YOU BETTER SHOW UP: Pinellas looks to stiffen its attendance rules.
NO NEW TAXES: The Hernando School Board approves a budget with no tax rate increase, and next will consider whether to ask voters for permission to impose a critical needs operating millage in the future.
BACK TO SCHOOL HILLSBOROUGH: Student uniforms turn 20 • Calendar changes • Cell phone tower leases raise needed money • Budget cuts help cover revenue shortfalls ... Read more
The latest on principal changes in Pinellas
The principal shuffle in Pinellas continues. Besides the change at Largo Middle we told you about this morning, the district has recently proposed two other transfers: Bonnie Cangelosi from Seminole Elementary to Shore Acres Elementary (to replace retiring principal Timothy Owens), and Randy Devries from Cypress Woods Elementary to Seminole (to replace Cangelosi).
Those changes, and the one at Largo Middle, are pending school board approval.
Interviews for five other principal positions are happening this week and next, according to this schedule the district sent The Gradebook: ... Read more
Duncan: Districts, unions should follow Hillsborough's lead
From Education Secretary Arne Duncan's speech at the National Press Club yesterday:
And in dozens of other districts -- from Tampa to Pittsburgh to Denver-- union leaders and administrators are moving beyond the battles of the past and finding new ways to work together.
I urge union leaders, administrators and schools boards all across America to follow the example of their reform-minded colleagues and have a more open mind toward common-sense reforms. They have nothing to fear from charters or incentive pay or a better system of teacher evaluation. The only real threat to them -- and to all of us -- is academic failure. ... Read more
Where were you when your School Board voted on the budget?
Pasco County's first public hearing on its $1.1 billion budget was poorly attended, as usually is the case. Only about a dozen residents showed up, and of them eight were board candidates.
That in itself raises an interesting question, as there are 12 candidates seeking three open seats. One of a school board's key functions is to adopt an annual budget and tax rate. So shouldn't anyone interested in serving on the board come to the budget public hearings, at least to listen if not to speak?
And yet, candidates John Tracy (District 4), Mark Swartsel (District 5), Mike Ryan (District 3) and Sallie Skipper (District 3) weren't there. Compare that to office seekers such as Billie Kaleel (District 4), who has attended nearly every board workshop and meeting since announcing her candidacy in early 2009.
To be sure, they must have their reasons. But do they matter to you? How important is it for a candidate for local office to make it to the budget hearings and other meetings of the board on which they wish to serve?
Clock ticking on Pinellas early retirement offer
Eligible employees who want to participate in Pinellas' new early retirement program have between today and Aug. 11 to apply.
The program, agreed to during Monday's collective bargaining session and approved by the School Board last night, gives participants $27,000, payable in three annual payments of $9,000 (minus taxes). It's limited to instructional personnel and school-based administrators who have worked for the district at least 25 years and meet other criteria.
The district estimates 1,655 employees are eligible. ... Read more
Peggy O'Shea on class size: Legislators should be in jail
So you heard the Pinellas and Hernando county school boards both voted Tuesday night to join in a lawsuit against the state, maintaining the Legislature has not adequately funded districts for strict classroom caps.
But here's the quote that didn't make it into the story for no other reason than tight newspaper space and this reporter's deadline after a meeting that went til 10 p.m.! (So sorry!)
Peggy O'Shea, the Pinellas County District 3 incumbent running for her second term, remembered that in early discussions about class size, board members inquired about what could happen if the district decided not to comply.
Board members would go to jail, legal advisers and district leaders told them.
On the cusp of casting a yes vote to join other districts in the lawsuit Tuesday, O'Shea registered her own thoughts about incarceration. ... Read more
New principal at Largo Middle
Alisa Gatlin is the new principal at Largo Middle, replacing Antelia Campbell. Here's the e-mailed announcement that area superintendent Barbara Thornton sent to Largo Middle staff members Sunday night: ... Read more
Florida education news: class size, school taxes, oil spill impact and more
TOO MUCH: The Pinellas School Board and Hernando School Board join a lawsuit contending that new penalties for failing to meet class size are too punitive. (Times file photo)
NO MORE: Some Hillsborough parents complain about a proposal to establish more half-days through the school year.
0.25 MILLS: Pasco says yes to the critical operating needs special tax. • Polk officials say layoffs should come first, the Lakeland Ledger reports.
RATIONAL THOUGHT: Making Florida's class-size amendment more flexible for schools is a sensible solution, the Times editorializes. • Meanwhile, Seminole school officials say they're bracing for class-size chaos as they aim to meet the mandate, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
FINALIST AGAIN: Florida has another chance to win a portion of the Race to the Top grant, the Miami Herald reports. ... Read more
Hernando shoots down .25 mill tax
BROOKSVILLE -- It came as no surprise, but the Hernando School Board turned its nose up at its last opportunity to levy an additional 25 cents for every $1,000 of property value to help bolster the district’s operating fund.
Board member James Yant moved to approve the so-called critical needs millage, but the motion died for lack of a second and with no discussion. It would have taken a super majority, or 4 of 5 board members, to make it happen.
Instead, the board set a tentative rate of 7.147 mills, or $714.70 dollars for a $125,000 home with a $25,000 homestead exemption. That’s $6.20 less than last year for the same example home.
Had the board levied the critical needs millage, the bill for the home would be $766.70, or $18.80 more than last year. ... Read more
Pasco School Board approves .25 mill tax
A supermajority of the Pasco County School Board voted this evening to impose a .25 mill property tax for critical operating needs, as a way to collect $5.5 million that will help cover an expected $28 million shortfall.
Only board member Kathryn Starkey voted against the tax, saying the timing is wrong for people who are suffering economically. She urged community members to support schools if they can, and said the Legislature should be properly funding schools.
Other board members argued that the time is in fact now for the local taxpayers to step up precisely because the Legislature has failed to properly fund public education.
"I know that no one likes a tax increase. I know I don't," board member Cathi Martin said. But the alternative is cutting pay and laying off employees. "They should be paid more and not (have) their salaries cut," she said. ... Read more
Pasco teachers union proposes plan for teaching six periods of six
In looking for ways to save some cash, Pasco schools superintendent Heather Fiorentino proposed requiring all secondary-level teachers should teach six periods of six. That idea didn't go over well, with School Board members directing Fiorentino to look elsewhere for cuts.
During negotiations Tuesday afternoon, the United School Employees of Pasco put forth an offer to seek volunteer middle and high school teachers to teach all six periods of the day. Those who teach an extra period of a course they already teach would get 15 percent of their salary. Those who have to prepare a new course would make 20 percent more.
"If they're willing voluntarily to work a sixth period, it is something we believe has merit," USEP negotiator Jim Ciadella told the Gradebook. "It's an opportunity to save some money and to put some money into teachers' pockets."
Kevin Shibley, the district's director of employee relations, said he had some concerns about the USEP's language and would likely make a counter proposal. But he welcomed the conversation. ... Read more
Conservative Patriots back Huff in Pinellas School Board race
Pinellas School Board candidate Fonda Huff didn't get the nod from the teachers union. But she's getting an enthusiastic thumbs up from Patriots' Ink, a conservative group based in Pinellas that's big on limited government.
The group has endorsed Huff, a math/science coach, and some of its members are helping with her campaign. According to this endorsement letter, Patriots' Ink agrees with Huff on several key issues, including support for more fundamental schools and "civil penalties assessed against parents of habitually truant children."
The group's executive director, Steven D. Lange, told the Gradebook that Patriots' Ink is not tied to the tea party movement, but conceded that some members may strongly identify with tea party folks. ... Read more
Dip into cliff reserves or not? Pinellas board candidate gives two responses
Jim Jackson, the top-financed candidate in the District 7 race for Pinellas County School Board, says he may have made an error when he answered a budget-related question in his St. Petersburg Times editorial board questionnaire.
The question: "The school district faces a $26 million budget gap for 2010-11, and a potential shortfall of $53 million the following year. Gaps that wide call for major cost cutting. What should be cut? What should be spared?"
Jackson's answer starts off: "Because the future of the real estate market is uncertain, we should start by looking at areas which can be cut now, and, if necessary, dip in to the 'cliff reserves' to fill any remaining gaps."
On Friday, when the Gradebook asked him a similar budget-related question, he said he favors cutting administrative positions, looking at closing and consolidating schools, and hiring an independent auditor to identify other areas ripe for trimming. ... Read more
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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.
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