Several ‘Sweeping Change’ Education Bills Up For A Vote Today
April 8, 2010
Several bills that could usher in sweeping changes to the state’s education landscape are up for a final vote in the House on Thursday, the last stop before the governor’s desk.
Class sizes could grow, more kids could go to private schools on the taxpayers, the FCAT could be phased out at the high school level and teachers could see their pay raises based on their students’ achievement. The bills have been part of a highly politicized, partisan process that has divided the education community.
HB 7189/SB 6
The most controversial measure before the Legislature this year would strip away tenure from public school teachers, instead basing their salary, in part, on student performance.
A measure filed in the Senate on the first day of session would partly base teacher pay raises on the results of their students on standardized exams. But the Department of Education has yet to determine exactly how student learning gains would be measured and will outline those proposals throughout the summer if it becomes law.
The Florida Education Association has come out swinging against the legislation with teachers flooding lawmakers’ offices with emails, letters and phone calls. A House committee also scheduled eight hours to hear the measure earlier this week and 120 people signed up to speak on the legislation. It has also gained national attention with a representative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce testifying at a committee meeting along with a representative of an education think tank in North Carolina.
Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, stressed that the students aren’t being required to hit a certain mark on exams, they just need to show gains from the previous year.
“The focus is not on the end performance, it focuses on a learning gain,” she said.
Democrats proposed several amendments to the legislation, all of which were knocked down by the Republican majority in a session that went late into the night on Wednesday. The amendments included a measure to remove penalties from schools who reward teachers based on years of service, a proposal to include external factors such as a child’s socioeconomic status in their progress, and an exemption for military personnel from having their teaching certificates revoked.
“This bill is a slap in the face to every teacher out there,” said Rep. Mia Jones, D-Jacksonville.
The House gave the bill preliminary approval on Wednesday night setting it up for a vote on Thursday.
HJR 7039/SJR 2
The House will also vote on whether ask the voters to knock down a class size provision in the state constitution.
In 2002, Florida voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment that would cap class sizes at 18 students for kindergarten through third grade, 22 in fourth through eighth grade, and 25 in high school. Smaller classes have been phased in since 2002, but at the start of the 2010 school year, every classroom would have to meet those hard caps.
The joint resolution would roll back the requirement so that class size would be calculated at a grade-level average, not an individual classroom cap. Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, the House sponsor, said this was a school flexibility measure. “We are not repealing the class size amendment,” he said on the House floor Wednesday.
The measure requires a three-fifths vote to make it to the November 2010 ballot where it requires 60 percent voter approval to pass.
HB 1009/SB 2126
Included in the package of bills is a measure to massively expand the state’s voucher program, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, so more low income students could choose to attend private school. The program, established in 2001, gives companies a tax credit in exchange for contributing to the program.
The bill would add revenue sources and expand the cap on how much in scholarship money can be awarded from $118 million to $140 million and increase the individual award over time from the current level of $3,950 to 80 percent of the per pupil spending awarded by the state to public schools. Currently, the state spends about $6,900 per public school student.
HB 7053
The FCAT would be phased out at the high school level under HB 7053. The legislation would implement end-of-course exams in algebra, geometry and biology, phasing out the ninth and 10th grade FCAT in mathematics and the high school science FCAT.
Report Details Crime Levels In Escambia, Santa Rosa
April 8, 2010
The rate of serious crimes in Florida fell to a 39-year low in 2009, while the number of most violent crimes in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties showed little change.
In violent crime categories — murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery and aggravated assault — Escambia County had a slight increase from 2008 to 2009 in the number of forcible rapes (161 to 193) and aggravated assaults (1,852 to 1,884). Murders decreased (22 to 18) as did robberies (692 to 636).
In Santa Rosa County, there was an increase in forcible rapes (17 to 33). There were decreases from 2008 to 2009 in murders (2 to 0), robberies (26 to 21) and aggravated assaults (235 to 183).
From 2008 to 2009, Escambia County had an increase in the number of burglaries (2,993 to 3,265) and larcenies (8,525 to 8,750). The number of motor vehicles thefts were down (835 to 753).
From 2008 to 2009, Santa Rosa County had a decrease in the number of burglaries (518 to 480), larcenies (1,484 to 1,386) and motor vehicle thefts (125 to 97).
Escambia County’s crime rate per 100,000 persons was 4,952.1 in 2009, while Santa Rosa County’s crime rate per 1,000 persons was 1,522.4.
The numbers for Escambia County include all crimes reported by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department, University of West Florida Police Department, Pensacola Junior College Police Department and other agencies. Santa Rosa County’s numbers include all crimes reported by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Milton Police Department, Gulf Breeze Police Department and other agencies.
The numbers were released Thursday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in their 2009 Annual Uniform Crime Report.
Learn About Florida KidCare Insurance Today In Bratt
April 8, 2010
If your children are uninsured or are on the Medicaid share of cost program, there is an easy opportunity today to get Florida KidCare insurance for your children.
A Florida KidCare outreach advocate will be at Bratt Elementary School from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. today. Anyone with children is welcome to attend and sign up, not just those with children at Bratt.
This is a direct computer application process, but the advocate will be on hand to answer questions and provide assistance.
In order to apply for Florida KidCare for your children, you will need to bring:
- Picture Identification
- Social Security numbers for the children
- Pay stubs from past four weeks (or), 2009 W-2 form (or) Most recent tax return
- Proof of child support, Social Security and or unemployment benefits
- Information on cost to add child to parent’s health insurance through employer
For more information, contact Sara Knighten, RN at (850) 327-6137 ext. 249, click here for a printable information sheet, or visit floridakidcare.org for information and eligibility requirements
Northview Falls To Bozeman
April 8, 2010
The Northview Chiefs will stay on top of District 1-2A despite a Wednesday night loss to Bozeman.
Bozeman beat the Chiefs 8-0 in a non-district game. Bozeman held the Chiefs to just two hits in Bratt.
The Chiefs will be just across the state line Friday against Escambia County High School in Atmore. The JV plays at 4:00, and the varsity is scheduled for 6:30.
Powder-Puff Football Tonight
April 8, 2010
Girls from Escambia Academy will take on girls from Escambia County High School this afternoon in a benefit Powder-Puff football game.
The event is a fundraiser for a Youth Leadership Atmore Class of 2010 service project to purchase books for Atmore area elementary schools. The game will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Escambia County High School football stadium.
Admission is $3 at the gate. Concessions will be available.
State Attorney: No Wrongdoing By Commission; Grand Jury To Investigate Valentino
April 8, 2010
The State Attorney’s Office has found that no crime was committed by the Escambia County Commission when a drainage contract was rebid last year, but allegations of improper solicitation of campaign funds against Commissioner Gene Valentino will be presented to an Escambia County Grand Jury for their consideration.
When bids were opened on November 18, 2009, for a Maplewoods drainage project, Gulf Equipment Company of Mobile was low bidder at $1,768,621. Road, Inc. of Cantonment’s bid was $22,982.26 more. The county’s purchasing department recommended to the Escambia County Commission that they approve the Gulf Equipment bid.
Six days later, on November 24, Valentino admits that he met for about 45 minutes in his office with Roads, Inc. officials, including the company’s president Cody Rawson and Russell Weaver. Valentino tells the daily newspaper that he met with Rawson to ask for campaign support, but retracts that statement but does not explain what was discussed in the meeting.
Roads, Inc. officials then contacted commissioners Kevin White, Grover Robinson and Wilson Robertson, telling them that they could correct a mistake on their bid and save the county $100,000.
Valentino made a motion on January 7 to rebid the project because of errors made by county staff. County Administrator Bob McLaughlin and staff members object. The motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Marie Young against.
A week later, January 14, White made a motion at a Committee of the Whole meeting to reverse the rebid. White, Robinson and Robertson apologized, while Valentino points blame at county staff and the bid process. The vote to reverse the rebid and award the contract to Gulf Equipment was ratified at the January 21 meeting.
“Commissioner White began to question his decision,” Gregory Marcille, assistant State Attorney write in his findings. “There was considerable public concern as a result of media reports. Much of this concern revolved around Commissioner Valentino and his meeting with Cody Rawson and Russell Weaver and alleged discussions of political support.”
“We will present the issues involving Commissioner Gene Valentino and his alleged solicitation of political support to the Grand Jury for their consideration,” Marcille said.
The commission later approved a new set of rules to prevent any attempted contractor influence. Now, commissioners can sanction or even disqualify bidders that attempt to influence the board or any county employee in the time between the receipt of a sealed bid and the contract award date. The Purchasing Department already had a similar internal policy, but now it is an official county-wide policy.
Contractors that violate the policy could see a contracted terminated or even suspension from future bids on county projects. The lobbying policy does not impact a contractor’s other lobbying efforts during zoning procedures, proposal requests or letters of interest on a project.
To read the entire report from the State Attorney’s Office, click here.
Attack On A Mall: 300 Responders Conduct Counter Terrorism Drill
April 8, 2010
Hundreds of emergency personnel converged on University Mall in Pensacola Thursday for a counter terrorism exercise.
With an active shooter inside the mall, a hostage situation, a hazardous materials incident and explosives, the exercise allowed first responders to practice for a variety of scenarios.
About 300 emergency personnel from 17 agencies took part in the exercise funding by a Department of Homeland Security grant.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the exercise, click here. (Some readers may find a portion of the photos to be graphic.)
Pictured above: A SWAT team prepares to enter University Mall Thursday afternoon during a counter terrorism drill. Pictured below: A hazmat team begins their search for victims inside the mall. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Three Injured In Century Crash
April 7, 2010
Three people were injured in a two vehicle crash on North Century Boulevard at State Line Road this afternoon.
Reports indicated that a Toyota Prius and a Nissa Titus collided in the accident about 5:30 p.m. near the Piggly Wiggly. A 49-year old male, a 24-year old female and an infant were sustained non-life threatening injuries in the collision. The 8-month old was reportedly properly restrained in a car seat; the baby’s injuries were not immediately considered severe.
The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Atmore Ambulance, the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the collision,.
Sandy Hollow Road Bridge Closed For Emergency Repairs
April 7, 2010
Sandy Hollow Road at Sandy Hollow Creek in Davisville was closed this afternoon for emergency bridge repairs, according to Sonya Daniel, Escambia County’s public information manager.
The Florida Department of Transportation’s bridge consultant, Volkert and Associates, recommended that the bridge be closed after an inspection. One or possibly two of the pilings that support the bridge need replacing, according to Escambia County.
Highway 97 is the detour for the road, which runs from West Highway 4 to Gobbler Road. The bridge, located about a mile and a half south of Highway 4, already had a restricted weight limit of 20 tons.
The county is waiting for the contractor and county engineering staff to meet and provide an estimate time period for the bridge repairs.
Pictured above: Work crews place barricades on Sandy Hollow Road late Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Margaret Marie Roach Brown
April 7, 2010
Margaret Marie Roach Brown, 82 of Century FL. passed away Monday, April 5, 2010.
She was born October 12, 1927 in Bratt, FL. Margaret was a member of the Poplardale Baptist Church. Preceding her in death was her husband, J.D. Brown and her sons; Wayne Brown and James “Buddy” Brown.
She is survived by her sons and daughters in law; Dewey “Jody” Brown, Doug and Donna Brown, Charlie and Pamela Brown, Jackie and Kathy Brown, Anne Brown and a sister Mary Nell “Missy” Peacock. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 9, 2010 at 1 p.m. from Poplardale Baptist Church with Bro. Robert Gandy officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
Family will receive friends at the church from 11a.m. until service time.
The family would like to thank Century Care Center, the doctors and staff of Jay Hospital and Covenant Hospice for their outstanding care.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 highway 29, Cantonment, FL. is charge of arrangements.