Thousands Call For Governor To Veto Teacher Merit Pay Bill
April 13, 2010
More than 10,000 phone calls. More than 15,000 E-mails and letters. They mostly tell Gov. Charlie Crist the same thing – veto SB 6.
Since Republican lawmakers first proposed legislation in early March that would link teacher pay to student performance on standardized exams, teachers have gone on the offensive — writing, calling, showing up at legislative meetings, all telling lawmakers that a test can’t measure their effectiveness in the classroom.
It has generated more public reaction than any other single piece of legislation over the past few years.
“I haven’t even seen anything close to this. This is the biggest education overhaul I’ve seen in my 35 years here,” said Wayne Blanton, executive director for the Florida School Boards Association.
Gov. Charlie Crist seemed to be a proponent of the measure as recently as last Monday, sending out a press release saying he looked forward to seeing the legislation on his desk. But then a few days later as public pressure against the bill mounted, he changed his tune, telling reporters he had some concerns about the bill and that he was “listening to the people of Florida – my boss.”
Between March 1 and April 9, the governor’s office received 10,247 calls against the bill and 71 in support of it, a spokesman said Monday. He has also received 15, 454 E-mails and letters in opposition to the proposal and 66 in support. That doesn’t include 9,000 additional E-mails the staff hasn’t yet read.
Despite the outpouring of veto requests, some of Crist’s associates maintain he will sign the bill by the April 16 deadline.
Education Commissioner Eric Smith, who was appointed by Crist and whose staff helped draft the legislation, said last Friday that he expected the governor to “do the right thing” and Republican Party Chair John Thrasher, who sponsored the Senate bill, said he isn’t worried that the public outcry will influence Crist. Thrasher said Crist had previously promised to sign the bill, but he added that he has not spoken to the governor since it passed the House early Friday morning. Critics say the state’s teachers’ union is generating a false grass roots uprising.
“I’m not worried at all,” Thrasher told the News Service Monday. “I still rely on what he told me and you know any interest group in the state can generate lots of E-mails and lots of phone calls. That’s possible to do. If we start basing public policy on whoever can generate the most phone calls and who can generate the most E-mails, that’s pretty poor public policy in my opinion.”
The political implications of how it could affect Crist and his Senate campaign are also a part of the equation. If he vetoes the bill, he would alienate many Republican lawmakers who made the legislation a priority, as well as the wing of the GOP that remains closely aligned with former Gov. Jeb Bush, whose education foundation is a major backer of the measure.
But Crist has bucked the party in favor of public opinion before. He extended voting hours in the 2008 election due to massive turnout, though it did not benefit GOP presidential candidate John McCain. He has been strongly opposed to higher property insurance rates despite lawmaker pressure to let the market dictate those rates, and has been wildly pro consumer on utility issues when it didn’t always match his party’s general outlook.
Several Miami-Dade school teachers declared a “sickout” Monday in protest of the teacher merit pay bill. And at a weekend campaign stop at The Villages, Crist was approached by several people who urged him to veto the legislation, according to the St. Petersburg Times.
The legislation, SB 6, would base teacher pay raises on a performance appraisal determined by local school districts. But 50 percent of that appraisal would be based on student learning gains on standardized exams. The Department of Education, if the bill is signed, would develop metrics to measure learning gains.
Representatives of the school boards and superintendents say they’re not opposed to paying teachers based on results, and finding a way to root out inadequate educators. But portions of the bill remain problematic, and stakeholders have expressed concerns that it could create divisiveness among the teachers, administrators and school boards.
The legislation also takes 5 percent of a district’s overall funding and requires that it be used specifically for a teacher performance fund rather than other district needs, taking away local control, Blanton said
The three biggest education groups in the debate – the teachers’ union, the superintendents and the school boards – all say they have no idea which way the governor will go.
“Most of the time I have my own gut feeling,” said Bill Montford, executive director of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. “But this time I have no idea. I’m sure it’s a tough call for the governor. It’s an ever tougher call to guess what he’s going to do.”
Win A Car: Molino Park PTA To Sponsor Golf Tournament
April 13, 2010
Golfers will have the chance to win a new vehicle from World Ford in First Annual Molino Park Elementary School PTA Golf Tournament on April 24.
Registration will be at noon and tee off will be at 1 p.m. at the Cypress Lakes Golf Course (formerly Solutia) in Cantonment.
The cost is $55 per person on a team of four; the cost includes a golf cart. There will be goody bags and door prizes. For early registration, contact Tina Pendleton at (850) 982-1615 or (850) 587-5002. Business sponsors are also needed.
Traffic Watch: Closures Today Highway 97, Bamer Holley Lane, Sandy Hollow Road
April 13, 2010
There will be closures or delays on three North Escambia roadways today, including Highway 97 just south of the Alabama/Florida state line.
Crews from Panhandle Grading and Paving will be replacing a guardrail on Highway 97 in Davisville between the Piggly Wiggly and the Alabama line. There will be lane closures with the work. Land closures are restricted until after 8 a.m. whenever possible. The actual resurfacing of the Highway 97 should begin this week; NorthEscambia.com will publish the locations as they are made available.
Bamer Holley Lane in Molino will be closed from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Escambia County Road Department. Crews will be working on the railroad crossing near Brickyard Road.
Sandy Hollow Road is closed due to damage to the Sandy Hollow Creek Bridge. Work to repair the bridge is due to take about two weeks to complete. Highway 97 is the detour for the road that runs between West Highway 4 and Gobbler Road in Davisville.
Evers Continues To Lead In Senate Race Dollars
April 13, 2010
Greg Evers has now raised over a quarter million dollars in his bid for the Florida Senate District 2 seat, about twice the funds raised by his two competitors combined.
Ever’s campaign war chest now boasts $284,894.77 in contributions. Dave Murzin’s campaign has seen $108,551.40 in contributions, and Mike Hill has raised $42,635.00. The numbers are as of March 31, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Florida Department of State on Monday.
Evers has spent $20,278.99 during the first quarter on his campaign. His largest expenditures during the first quarter of the year included $8,375.50 for a petition mail and $6,829.75 to the U.S. Postal Service. His total campaign income for the quarter was $67,163.96.
Murzin’s largest expenses during the time period were $3,119,19 to David J. Murzin for business expenses and campaign expenses. He spent a total of $7,660.66 during the first quarter while receiving $32,612.41.
Hill’s largest expenditure was $3,895 to BLAB TV. He spent a total of $5,320.09 during the first quarter of 2010. His contributions during the period were $10,375.00.
Click the candidate’s name below to see there complete first quarter campaign finance report:
Evers are Murzin are both House members hoping to move up to the Senate chambers to fill the seat being vacated by Rep. Durell Peaden. With 10 years in the Senate, Peaden is not running again due to term limits. Walter “Mike” Hill is a Pensacola insurance agent.
NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Keep On Winning, Beating West Florida 7-3 (With Photo Gallery)
April 13, 2010
The Northview Lady Chiefs continued their winning ways Monday as they beat the West Florida Jaguars Monday in Bratt, 7-3 in seven innings. It was the eighth win in a row for Northview, and the 16th of the season for freshman pitcher Misty Doran.
Aimee Clarke was 3-4 for the Lady Chiefs. Emily Vickrey was 2-3 with three RBIs, Amber McMillan was 2-3 with a double, and Haley Simpson was 1-2.
Doran pitched all seven innings for the Lady Chiefs, striking out eleven Jaguars. Her record stands at 16-3 for the year.
Northview is now 21-3 overall, and 8-0 for the number one spot in District 1-2A. The final game of the regular season for the Lady Chiefs is a non-district matchup Thursday as they take on Pensacola High. Northview will then host the district softball tournament beginning April 19.
It was Senior Night for the Lady Chiefs, as they honored senior players Aimee Clarke, Kolbi Cobb, Candice Greenwell and Amber McMillan.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here. (Senior Night activities are at the end of the photo gallery.)
Pictured top: Driving in a run for the Lady Chiefs. Pictured left: Misty Doran pitched seven for the Chiefs Monday as they beat West Florida High School. Pictured below: Senior Lady Chiefs (L-R) Aimee Clarke, Kolbi Cobb, Candice Greenwell and Amber McMillan. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Highway 4 Shut Down Due To Monday Brush Fire
April 12, 2010
A West Highway 4 brush fire shut down the roadway for a short time Monday afternoon as firefighters worked to control the blaze.
The Century and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Florida Division of Forestry responded to a brush fire on West Highway 4 near Canoe Creek about 3:05 Monday afternoon. The fire was reported to be about two to three acres in size.
The roadway was reopened after a short period.
A second brush fire was reported on Industrial Boulevard in Century at 3:20 p.m. Monday. The fire was out when the first units arrived on scene.
Pictured above: A Florida Division of Forestry tractor enter the woods on West Highway 4 Monday afternoon. Pictured below: Heavy smoke closed Highway 4 for a short period. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In School Bus Accident Involving Molino Driver
April 12, 2010
There were no injuries in a school bus accident involving a Molino driver Monday morning in Pensacola.
The Florida Highway Patrol says a school bus driven by Anne Moyers, 41, of Molino, was stopped in the parking lot of the Homestay Lodge on Mobile Highway at 7:34 a.m. The stop signs, flashing lights and front crossing arm were activated on the bus so that students could board the bus.
That is when Jacob Fredrick, 17, of Pensacola, backed out of parking space and struck the crossing arm that was extended in front of the bus, according to the FHP. There were 12 students on the bus; there were no injuries reported.
Fredrick was charged with improper or unsafe backing, according to the FHP report.
Bamer Holley Lane, Sandy Hollow Road Closed Today
April 12, 2010
Two North Escambia roads are closed for repairs today.
Bamer Holley Lane in Molino will be closed from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. today and Tuesday, according to the Escambia County Road Department. Crews will be working on the railroad crossing near Brickyard Road.
Sandy Hollow Road is closed due to damage to the Sandy Hollow Creek Bridge. Work to repair the bridge is due to being on Monday and take about two weeks to complete. Highway 97 is the detour for the road that runs between West Highway 4 and Gobbler Road in Davisville.
Pictured above: Sandy Hollow Road in Davisville is closed for two weeks. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New Bratt Community Park To Be Almost Complete In About A Month
April 12, 2010
Work in continuing on the the new Bratt Community Park on West Highway 4, with most of the park scheduled for completion by mid-May.
The next major project at the park with the paving of the 8-foot wide, eight-tenths of a mile walking track around the perimeter of the 13-acre park, according to Joy Jones, director of Escambia County’s Parks and Recreation Department.
“There will be a lot of the items done with the next month,” Jones said. Work will soon begin, she said, to construct two softball fields and the associated fencing. Two large picnic pavilions are almost complete, and the park’s playgrounds have been in place since last August.
The park will also include two softball fields, a full basketball court and exercise and rest stations positioned along the track. The softball fields will not be lit for night play; in fact, the park’s hours will follow that of other county parks — sunrise to sunset.
The park is the realization of a 10-year dream for Clark Caraway. Caraway and several other Bratt residents even formed Bratt Community Park, Inc. back in 2001 to work toward the park.
The park is being funded with $200,000 in LOST (local option sales tax) monies set aside for the park’s construction.
Editor’s note: While the playground is complete, the surrounding park is not. Walkways and parking areas are still under construction, and can become very muddy.
Pictured top: One of two pavilions recently installed at the new Bratt park. Pictured inset: Clark Caraway of Bratt reviews park plans with Joy Jones, Escambia’s Parks and Recreation Department director. Pictured below: The playground at the new Bratt Community Park on West Highway 4 near the First Baptist Church of Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Discount Drug Card Available To All Residents
April 12, 2010
The Florida Discount Drug Card, initially offered to qualifying seniors or low-income families and individuals beginning in December 2007, is now available to all Florida residents.
“Florida remains committed to increasing access to affordable health care and finding innovative solutions to achieve this goal,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “The Florida Discount Drug Card has been proven to be a low-cost solution for families and seniors in need of affordable prescription drugs, and now we are rightly extending the savings to all Florida residents. I urge Floridians to sign up to begin receiving discounts on their prescription drugs.”
All Florida residents now qualify: no age limit, no income requirements. There are no waiting periods to receive the card, no pre-existing condition restrictions, no membership fees and the card instantly activates. Previously, to sign up for the program, participants had to be age 60 to 64 and without prescription drug coverage; or individuals, families and seniors under age 60, without prescription-drug coverage, and have an annual income of less than 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level to qualify. These participants are still eligible and can now receive additional savings when purchasing their prescription drugs with the card. For participants under age 60, qualifying annual incomes for the additional savings are as follows:
- $32,490 for an individual
- $43,710 for a family of two
- $66,150 for a family of four
- Income limits for other family sizes are published at www.FloridaDiscountDrugCard.com
Participants who qualify for additional savings will be able to download a temporary card directly from the Florida Discount Drug Card Web site and will receive a physical card by mail for a small, one-time $1.50 activation fee which is only added to the cost of the first prescription. The temporary downloaded card activates within three hours.
Requesting a Florida Discount Drug Card is easy, and there is no sign-up fee for the card. Printable cards can be downloaded for free directly from the Florida Discount Drug Card Web site upon sign-up. Participants have the option of requesting a physical card to be mailed directly to a home or office for a small, one-time $1.50 activation fee which is assessed when purchasing the first prescription. Floridians can request a Florida Discount Drug Card by visiting www.FloridaDiscountDrugCard.com or by calling 1-866-341-8894 or TTY 1-866-763-9630. Information on the Web site is available in English, Spanish and a Creole version will be available soon. Multilingual drug card service representatives are available by calling the toll-free number.
More than 60,000 pharmacies are participating nationwide. If the pharmacy’s usual and customary price is lower than the Florida Discount Drug price, the customer will pay the lower price. Additionally, if the customer qualifies for any other prescription discounts, they will always pay the lowest price. If a consumer learns a pharmacy is not enrolled in the program, it can be enrolled on a temporary basis, so the consumer can immediately take advantage of the discount. A 24-hour pharmacy helpline is available to assist with pharmacy enrollment. Once the pharmacy has signed a contract, it can permanently join the program. The Florida Discount Drug Card Web site provides an easy-to-use pharmacy locator tool, as well as a drug pricing index.
No tax dollars are used to make the Florida Discount Drug Card available. A public-private partnership with Envision Pharmaceutical Services (EPS) makes the discounts possible. EPS pharmacy benefits manager secures volume discounts on prescription drugs, passing savings onto consumers. Participating pharmacies must agree to the negotiated prices.
As of March 2010, prior to the expansion, Governor Charlie Crist announced that more than 135,000 Floridians had signed up for the Florida Discount Drug Card since its launch on December 20, 2007. With over 61,000 prescriptions filled, participants saved $6 million in prescription-drug costs.