Crist Bucks Party In Teacher Pay Veto
April 16, 2010
Gov. Charlie Crist defied Republican party leaders Thursday, vetoing one of their top priorities – a measure that would link teacher pay to student achievement.
After several days of wavering, Crist pulled the trigger, chastising lawmakers for rushing the bill through the process and ignoring input from thousands of teachers who called and wrote to them about potential kinks in the legislation.
“Quite frankly it reminds me of what happened with the health care bill in Washington where members of my party criticized the Democrats for sort of jamming something down their throat, and then here, about a month later after that happened, the very same thing happens here in education,” Crist said.
The legislation (SB 6) would have based teacher pay raises on a performance appraisal determined by local school districts. Half of that appraisal would be based on student learning gains on standardized exams. The Department of Education would have been charged with developing metrics to measure learning gains.
Teachers have protested that many of the accomplishments they make with students cannot adequately be tested. Many teachers showed up at committee meetings over the last month and told stories of children who have special needs or have a difficult home life. Some warned that teachers would be less likely to go to problem schools out of fear that they would be unsuccessful with students who are in unstable environments.
Crist’s veto flies directly in the face of Republican Party Chairman Sen. John Thrasher, who sponsored the bill, and several other leading Republicans who declared it a priority. Thrasher told reporters after the veto that it was disappointing and it appears there will likely be no attempts in the final two weeks of the legislative session to pass a measure to get around the veto. But he also acknowledged that it often takes more than one year to pass legislation and said it could pass next year – when Crist will no longer be governor.
“We made the best effort we could make in the House, in the Senate,” Thrasher said. “And I’m confident that this is an idea that’s going to sweep across America. I am confident of that.”
Democrats as well as the Florida Education Association, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents and the Florida School Boards Association had been lobbying hard against the bill, but even some representatives of education community were shocked at the public outcry over the legislation.
Crist alone received 65,259 phone calls and E-mails in opposition and 3,090 in support. A spokesman for the governor reported that there were an additional 50,902 E-mails that have not yet been categorized.
His decision drew quick praise from Democrats, but derision from many of his fellow Republicans, including House Speaker Larry Cretul, Senate President Jeff Atwater and former Gov. Jeb Bush, who publicly and vocally twisted arms to garner support for the legislation. The bill also received substantial backing from the business community.
“I am disappointed by the veto of Senate Bill 6,” Bush said in a release. “By taking this action, Gov. Crist has jeopardized the ability of Florida to build on the progress of the last decade, which includes raising student achievement across the board, narrowing the achievement gap for poor and minority students, and improving graduation rates.”
Crist said despite his support for the general concept of merit pay, he had several problems with the bill, specifically how learning gains for special needs children are measured and potential encroachment on constitutional rights on local control for school boards.
“SB 6 places teachers in jeopardy of losing their jobs and their teaching certification without a clear understanding of how gains will be measured and without taking into account circumstances beyond the teacher’s control,” Crist said.
Many Democrats walking around the Capitol after the announcement were jovial in response to the governor’s decision. Incoming House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders and current Leader Franklin Sands said it was the caucus position that members would not publicly gloat about the victory. “Only privately,” Sands added.
Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, noted that the measure could return in some form in the future, though likely not this legislative session.
“Obviously it’s a victory, but I’m not uncorking champagne,” he said. “Because frankly it’s almost a sad statement that we had to fight this hard to stop something so wrong headed. We shouldn’t have been there in the first place.”
by Kathleen Haughney, The News Service Florida
Photo Gallery: Ernest Ward Middle School Track Meet
April 16, 2010
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles participated in their first track meet of the season Thursday afternoon at Ferry Pass Middle School in Pensacola.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Final results from the event were not available Thursday night.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Clean And Green: Barrineau Park Clean Up Is Saturday
April 16, 2010
Residents of the Barrineau Park Community are invited to take part in a Community Clean Up on Saturday.
Residents on the west side of Hwy 29 along Molino Road, Barrineau Park Road, Crabtree Church, Chestnut, Schifko, Sunshine Hill, Highway 99 (south of Luth Rd), Barrineau Lane and adjacent areas are invited to meet at 8:30 at the Barrineau Park Community Center, 6055 Barrineau Park School Road to pick up trash bags, safety gear and area assignments close to your residence).
The residents will then fan out across the community, trash bags in hand, to clean up the roadsides around Barrineau Park.
Volunteers will return to the Community Center at 11:30 to drop off their trash and join in a lunch hosted by the Barrineau Park Historical Society and Honeysuckle Garden Club. Residents in the area that are unable to attend are invited to just pick up litter in front of their property and leave it in a plastic bag. Volunteers in the area will pick up the plastics bags.
The fifth annual Community Cleanup is sponsored by the Barrineau Park Historical Society, Clean & Green, The Honeysuckle Garden Club and Fran’s Diner.
Jay Beats NHS; Royals And Chiefs Tied In District
April 16, 2010
Northview and Jay are now tied for number one spot in District 1-2A after the Royals defeated the Chiefs 12-10 Thursday night in Jay.
Jay started the sixth inning with a 12-6 lead, but the Chiefs rallied with four to close gap to 12-10. But the Chiefs were held scoreless in the seventh by Jay.
Dabney Langhorne was 2-4 for the Chiefs with two doubles; Brandon Sheets and Austin Lowery were both 1-4; and Hunter Black was 3-4 with a double.
For the Royals, Rush Hendricks was 1-2, Kevin Stanton was 1-3 and Dakota Smith was 2-2 with two RBIs.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Ransom Band Competing In Atlanta Today
April 16, 2010
The Ransom Middle School Symphonic Band and Jazz Band , under the direction of Janie Walker; the Ransom Concert Band, under the direction of Patricia Maness; and the Ransom Orchestra, under the direction of Cathy McConnell, will compete in the Southern Star Music Festival in Atlanta on Friday, April 16.
They will compete with other bands and orchestras from across the Southeast.
Register Your Team: NHS Diamond Club Reschedules Tourney
April 16, 2010
The Northview High School Diamond Club has rescheduled their baseball tournament to Saturday, April 24 at Showalter Park in Century.
The entry fee is just $50 per team for the round-robin two game guarantee tournament. Space is limited on a first come, first served basis.
For more information about the tournament and contact information, click here. All proceeds benefit the baseball program at Northview High School.
Gov. Vetoes Teacher Merit Pay Bill
April 15, 2010
Calling it “significantly flawed,” but saying he believes in the goal, Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed a highly controversial teacher merit pay bill on Thursday.
The measure was a top priority of many of his fellow Republicans in the Legislature. “This bill has deeply and negatively affected the morale of our teachers, parents and students,” Crist said. “They do not believe their voices were heard.”
Crist said he knew that his critics would say the move was politically motivated, and Crist denied that. “This thing was rushed through,” Crist said. “It has everything to do with the children of Florida.”
The legislation would link teacher salary increases to student performance on standardized exams, essentially abolishing any form of tenure. Representatives of the teachers’ union, the superintendents association and the school board association have all said they agree with the measure in concept, but its implementation could create major problems for districts around the state and cause major divisiveness between administrators and educators.
Opponents of the legislation have said repeatedly that external factors affecting students, such as socioeconomics or a bad family situation, could have major impacts on a child’s ability to perform and could hurt a teacher’s ability to earn a higher salary over time.
Pictured: Gov. Charlies Crist announces his veto of SB6, a teacher merit pay bill, at a news conference Thursday morning in Tallahassee. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
The News Service Florida contributed to this report.
BREAKING NEWS: Governor Vetoes Teacher Merit Pay Bill
April 15, 2010
Calling it “significantly flawed,” but saying he believes in the goal, Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed a highly controversial teacher merit pay bill on Thursday.
The measure was a top priority of many of his fellow Republicans in the Legislature. “This bill has deeply and negatively affected the morale of our teachers, parents and students,” Crist said. “They do not believe their voices were heard.”
Crist said he knew that his critics would say the move was politically motivated, and Crist denied that. “This thing was rushed through,” Crist said. “It has everything to do with the children of Florida.”
The legislation would link teacher salary increases to student performance on standardized exams, essentially abolishing any form of tenure. Representatives of the teachers’ union, the superintendents association and the school board association have all said they agree with the measure in concept, but its implementation could create major problems for districts around the state and cause major divisiveness between administrators and educators.
Opponents of the legislation have said repeatedly that external factors affecting students, such as socioeconomics or a bad family situation, could have major impacts on a child’s ability to perform and could hurt a teacher’s ability to earn a higher salary over time.
The News Service Florida contributed to this report.
School Bus Driver, Students Burned When Hose Bursts
April 15, 2010
A school bus driver and four students were injured when a heater or radiator hose failed on bus this morning in Oak Grove.
The bus driver was transported to Atmore Community Hospital to be treated for burns primarily to her legs. Four students received very minor burns and were evaluated by emergency personnel. The students were not transported to the hospital after the 8:45 a.m. accident.
The bus, number 18-06, was on North Highway 99 near Gobbler Road at the time of the incident. The bus driver was able to bring the bus to stop and call for help. An unknown number of Ernest Ward Middle School students were on the bus; the uninjured students were transported to school on another bus.
Students said when the hose burst, it sent hot antifreeze into the bus passenger compartment. The injured students were all near the front of the bus. Antifreeze could be seen running down the stairs of the bus and dripping onto the ground after the incident.
The parents of the injured students were all contacted by emergency personnel or Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry. Perry arrived at the scene shortly after the accident, even loaning her shoes to one of the injured students.
Atmore Ambulance, the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident. North Highway 99 was closed for about 30 minutes as victims were evaluated.
Pictured top: The driver of this bus was burned by hot antifreeze Thursday morning in Oak Grove. Pictured inset: Antifreeze can be seen running down the stairs of the bus. Pictured bottom: Emergency personnel evaluate injured students while Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry (right) calls parents. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Students Send Veterans On Honor Flight (With Photo Gallery)
April 15, 2010
The World War II veterans on the sixth Emerald Coast Honor Flight were welcomed back to Pensacola last night by thousands, including members of the Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders.
The students and staff in the Escambia County School District raised $114,000 to sponsor the flight to Washington for the veterans to tour the World War II Memorial and other monuments in the nation’s capital. Almost 100 veterans were on Wednesday’s flight.
During “mail call” on the flight from Pensacola, each veteran received mail — cards and letters — from students and school staff from every school in the district.
Each school in the district raised funds for the trip, including $2,580 contributed by Ernest Ward.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Photos submitted by Ramona Fischer.)
Pictured top: Members of the Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders welcomed veterans on the sixth Emerald Coast Honor Flight back to the Pensacola airport Wednesday night. Cheerleaders pictured are: (back L-R) Lily Townson, Tamara Green, Mallory Ryan, Anna Fischer, Katelynn Calloway, Chelsea Ward Front, (front) Morgan Ward, Hannah Gibson, Mallory Wiggins and Paeton Hadley. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.