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School Board okays $1.1-million for injured child
By
Thomas C. Tobin and Donna Winchester, Times Staff Writers
In print: Wednesday, April 16, 2008
LARGO — The Pinellas School Board on Tuesday approved a settlement that will award $1.1-million to the mother of a former Fairmount Park Elementary student who ran away from his school in April 2005 and was struck by a car. E'Traveon Johnson, now 9, suffered injuries to his brain, spine and neck and remains paralyzed. A district investigation concluded that school officials were properly supervising children at the time of the accident, but superintendent Clayton Wilcox recommended the settlement as an alternative to a possible lawsuit that could result in a larger award should a jury find the district negligent. The district will pay the first $200,000, the maximum allowed under a state law that caps liability for school districts and other public agencies. The district's insurance company will pay the remaining $900,000. In other business, the board voted 5-2 to approve a policy change allowing students at so-called 4-by-4 high schools to graduate once they have 24 credits. Previously, the district required 4-by-4 students to have 29 credits to graduate. Six Pinellas high schools operate on a 4-by-4 schedule, in which students take four courses each quarter and earn eight credits a year, giving them more opportunities to take elective courses. In other high schools, students typically take six courses a year and earn six credits toward graduation. District officials say the change, which does not lower the number of core courses required to graduate or remove other graduation requirements such as passing the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, is more fair. Previously, they said, 4-by-4 students were being held back from graduation while their peers at regular high schools got diplomas because of the lower credit requirement. "This will affect the kids who are on track for graduation but who, for whatever reason, did not take an elective or failed an elective," said Harry Brown, deputy superintendent for curriculum and operations. "They now will be able to walk with their class." The change will affect about 75 students this year. Over time, officials say, it will help improve Pinellas' graduation rate. Board members Mary Brown and Janet Clark voted against the change. Clark said the move watered down the district's standards.
[Last modified: Apr 20, 2008 10:48 AM]
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by David
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Apr 20, 2008 10:47 AM
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Where is the accountability here from E'Traveon's family? What kind of 9 year-old decides to run away from school? Tragic story, indeed, but next time raise your kids right!
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by Suzi
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Apr 18, 2008 10:11 AM
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Ron- I hear what you're saying but I think Wilcox is right. A jury would have a hard time ruling against a child who's been maimed-liable or not. Most would expect a child that young couldn't just 'run off' from sch
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by danny
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Apr 17, 2008 9:46 AM
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we cant never put money before the wellfare of a child this boy will never enjoy a normal life let alone a child hood i say it was long over due this family have been thru a lot and if this can help in any way its a blessing may god be with the famil
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by Ron
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Apr 16, 2008 9:59 AM
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After finding out that the school did nothing wrong, the School Board STILL votes to give a $1,100,000 gift to the family. Obviously money is not as much of a concern to the board as they have claimed in the past. It's not Wilcox's money to
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