Tuition To Incease At Florida Universities
June 16, 2011
All of Florida’s universities will seek to raise tuition for undergraduate students, who will see a total increase of 15 percent next year – the maximum allowed by law.
Universities are technically seeking to raise tuition by only 7 percent, but that’s on top of the 8 percent increase the Legislature ordered. Under a state law passed four years ago, the Legislature can increase tuition and universities are able to tack on their own increases, known as tuition differentials, but the total tuition hike can’t exceed 15 percent.
Although only six out of the 11 state universities have officially sought the extra 7 percent tuition increase, documents filed with the State University System Board of Governors show they all plan to push for the full 7 percent. The Board of Governors will decide next week whether to approve the tuition hike.
If the board approves the 7 percent increase, on average, a student would pay $3,840.47 in tuition for 30 credit hours next year, up from the $3,339.56 average for 30 hours last year. That does not include fees, which can tack on several thousand dollars to a student’s total bill.
For instance, total tuition and fees for next year’s Florida State University students could run $5,237.80 for the year.
If the past is any indication, the board is likely to approve the 7 percent increase. For the past two years, universities and lawmakers have approved tuition increases that, when combined, have reached the full 15 percent, with approval from the Board of Governors.
Plagued by dwindling dollars from the state and increasing enrollment numbers, Florida universities have not been shy about their pleas for higher tuition. University officials say Florida in-state tuition is ranked 48 in the nation and have pledged to strive to catch up to the national average of $7,605 for tuition and fees this past school year.
Florida State University, one of the largest public universities in the state, voted to raise its tuition as “the only way to maintain the academic and support programs serving our students in the face of additional reductions in state funding,” said Bob Bradley, the interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at FSU.
Many universities have seen substantial drops in the amount of money coming from the state.
The University of Florida, for instance, has seen a drop of over $150 million in the last three years in state dollars while FSU has lost $100 million in state funding over the last four years.
In total, universities have lost about 30 percent in state funding over the past four years, according to State University System spokeswoman Kelly Layman.
Meanwhile, enrollment has increased at a steady clip of 3 percent each year. This year attendance at state university system schools was 321,503. That was a jump of more than 20,000 students from the year before.
Universities are required to spend the tuition differential money on undergraduate education and a certain percentage on needs-based financial aid. For instance, 906 faculty members were hired or retained thanks to the tuition differential dollars from last year. More than 4,300 classes were added or saved.
Though university officials have pushed for years for even bigger tuition increases, as much as 30 percent, others are concerned that tuition increase are coming at a time when student financial aid programs are also suffering.
In Florida, the popular Bright Futures scholarship program will cut awards next year by 20 percent.
“What we are seeing is an increase in the demand for higher education and at the same time we are seeing states like Florida not investing as much,” said Haley Chitty, a spokesman for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. “With public colleges and universities not receiving as much state funds, a lot of them have to raise their prices and unfortunately that means parents and students end up carrying a greater cost.”
Universities, whose resources are spread thin, are turning to students to help pick up the tab that the state government used to pay, Chitty said. The middle class is particularly vulnerable because they are sometimes not eligible for needs-based aid, which has been protected in Florida from the most severe cuts.
But Layman said tuition increases are needed to help universities maintain quality and retain faculty.
Without tuition increases, universities would have to slash their budgets severely, resulting in the loss of important faculty and a reduction in courses. The graduation rate of students would slide as fewer students are able to take required classes.
“We don’t want to slip from all of the progress we have made,” Layman said. “We want to stay competitive, not only with graduation rates, but the quality of all of the systems’ academic programs.”
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Escambia County Set To Join Lawsuit Against Conecuh Landfill
June 16, 2011
Escambia County (Fla.) is set to join a lawsuit aimed at blocking the proposed Conecuh Woods landfill.
The Escambia County Commission approved a resolution Thursday night to participate in the lawsuit that was initiated by the Town of Repton, Ala., and Repton Mayor Terri Carter.
In late April, attorneys filed the suit in Conecuh County Circuit Court on behalf of Repton (pop. 280) and Carter seeking an injunction to block the 5,100 acre Conecuh Woods landfill. The landfill was approved 3-2 by the Conecuh County Commission just a week before the lawsuit was filed contending that the application violated applicable law and the public did not have ample opportunity to comment on the proposal.
Depositions of the Conecuh County Commission are scheduled for the end of June. The Town of Repton, Carter, and their attorneys Balch and Bingham have requested participation from Escambia County, Fla. along with several other local governments including the cities of Brewton, Grove Hill, Atmore, Flomaton and Orange Beach in Alabama; the counties of Monroe and Escambia in Alabama and the Town of Century in Florida to oppose the landfill. Escambia County, Ala., and Atmore voted to join the lawsuit earlier this week.
Conecuh Woods’ landfill, will include a 1,600 acre “disposal cell” from Range to Repton to near the Big Escambia Creek. Big Escambia Creek flows southward into Escambia County, Alabama, Flomaton and drains through a North Escambia swamp into the Escambia River and then into Escambia and Pensacola bays.
According to the Escambia County (Fla.) resolution, the county opposes the landfill because it poses a threat to Escambia River, Escambia Bay and Pensacola Bay, as well as the drinking water supply in the county.
First Candidate Prefiles For District 5 Commission Seat
June 16, 2011
Sam Archer of Cantonment prefiled Wednesday for the District 5 Escambia County Commission seat held currently by Kevin White.
Archer, a resident of Archer Road, is the first candidate to announce for the seat in the 2012 election. He is a political newcomer in Escambia County and prefiled to run as a Republican.
McDavid Man Charged With Dealing In Stolen Property
June 16, 2011
A McDavid man is facing charges for dealing in stolen property that he allegedly pawned and driving with a revoked driver’s license.
Jeffery Gene Brown, 30, of South Pine Barren Road, was charged with two felony counts of dealing in stolen property by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. A Molino man told deputies that he allowed Brown and his girlfriend to stay at his residence in July 2010. After his stay, the man noticed several items missing from his home, including a 10 karat yellow gold necklace, a camcorder and a digital camera. The victim did not file a report at the time.
In March 2011, the victim said he was told that his items were pawned at the Cash USA Pawn Shop on Pensacola Boulevard, and that is where he located his necklace. According to the pawn shop’s documentation, Brown had pawned the necklace twice, once for $200 and again for $300. A warrant for issued for Brown’s arrest.
Brown was taken into custody after being stopped by the Florida Highway Patrol earlier this week on Nine Mile Road. He was also charged with felony driving with a revoked driver’s license. According to the FHP, Brown has five prior convictions for driving with a suspended license.
In addition, Brown was charged with violating his probation in a 2009 case in which he was convicted of marijuana possession and possession of drug equipment.
He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Your Child’s FCAT Results Available At Their School
June 16, 2011
Individual FCAT scores are now — or soon will be — available at your child’s school. Score reports not picked up this summer will be distributed to students the first week of school in August.
For information about picking up FCAT scores at schools not listed below, call the school for more information.
Bratt Elementary School individual FCAT results are now available in the school office, Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Molino Park Elementary School individual scores are available Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and Monday and Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Tuesday will be last day for the Molino Park office staff until the end of July.
At Byrneville Elementary School, individual FCAT scores are available now at the school, Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Ernest Ward Middle School individual scores for all grades will be available beginning Monday.
Individual FCAT scores for ninth, tenth and eleventh grades at Northview High School will be available beginning Monday. Scores can be picked up in the guidance office Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Dramatic Video, Photos Show School Library Fire
June 16, 2011
Dramatic video and photographs show a fire that destroyed the media center Wednesday at the Pollard McCall School east of Flomaton. The video and photos, by Jerod Morris Photography, show flames through the roof the building as firefighters begin their attack on the blaze.
For more information on the fire and additional photos, click here for an earlier NorthEscambia.com story.
(If you do not see the video above, it is because your work, home or school firewall is blocking external videos.)
Photos for NorthEscambia.com by Jerod Morris Photography, click to enlarge.
List: Molino Park Third, Fifth Grade Awards
June 16, 2011
The following third and fifth grade students received end of the year academic awards at Molino Park Elementary School.
(For more Molino Park awards, click here.)
PRESIDENT’S AWARDS 5th GRADE
A – Excellence
Devin Abrams
Kylee Jackson
Madelyn Lathan
Robin Nahkala
Olivia Reber
Jacob White
Shelby Jackson
Sarah Perritt
Sabra Stewart
A/B – Achievement
Bailey Baldwin
Mallory Lathan
James Davis
Aaron Dees
Breanna Deloach
Austin Ging
Tapanga Johnson
Loudon Leatherberry
Hunter Rogers
Charles Booth
Bradley Bridges
Kayla Godwin
Cheyanne Lee
Ca rsen Lowery
Domonique McNeill
Trevor Singleton
Evan Till
FIFTH GRADE AWARDS
Ms. Collier:
Citizenship-
Devin Abrams
Allie Carter
Aaron Dees
Austin Ging
Kylee Jackson
Tapanga Johnson
Cody Kite
Madelyn Lathan
Loudon Leatherberry
Destany Miller
Robin Nahkala
Olivia Reber
Jacob White
Perfect Attendance:
Robin Nahkala
All A’s-
Devin Abrams
Kylee Jackson
Madelyn Lathan
Robin Nahkala
Olivia Reber
Jacob White
All A/B’s-
James Davis
Aaron Dees
Branna Deloach
Austin Ging
Tapanga Johnson
Loudon Leatherberry
Hunter Rogers
Acc. Reader-
Robin Nahkala 257.2 points(most in 5th grade)
Special Awards-
The Michael Pierce Citizenship Award- Cody Kite
The Ann Vidak Academic Excellence Award- Jacob White
Mrs. Hatch:
Citizenship-
Bailey Baldwin
Siobaun English
Mallory Lathan
Rubin O’Donovan
Heath Sheldt
Courtney Smith
All A/B’s-
Bailey Baldwin
Mallory Lathan
Special-
Student of the Year- Rubin O’Donovan
Accelerated Reader-Breanna Hundley
Mrs. Cutler:
Citizenship-
Toni Barretto
Charles Booth
Bradley Bridges
Kayla Godwin
Shelby Jackson
Cheyanne Lee
Carsen Lowery
Domonique McNeill
Jasmine Parsons
Sarah Perritt
Trevor Singleton
Sabra Stewart
Evan Till
Perfect Attendance-
Jasmine Parsons
All A’s-
Shelby Jackson
Sabra Stewart
Sarah Perritt
All A/B’s-
Joshua Bailey
Charles Booth
Bradley Bridges
Kayla Godwin
Cheyanne Lee
Carsen Lowery
Domonique McNeill
Jasmine Parsons
Trevor Singleton
THIRD GRADE AWARDS
Ms. Fletcher:
Citizenship-
Braden Boutwell
Micah Calhoun
Lacie Carter
Alexander Floyd
Jamiesha Gross
John Gulledge
Gracie Johnson
Mckinzi Kent
Tahliya Purifoy
Hannah Rogers
Perfect Attendance-
John Gulledge
Stewart Woodfin
All A’s-
Braden Boutwell
Micah Calhoun
All A/B’s-
Lacie Carter
Jamiesha Gross
Special:
Braden Boutwell – Escambia Writes 6.0
Accelerated Reader:
Jamiesha Gross – Most AR points in 3rd grade
Sunshine Math:
Braden Boutwell
Micah Calhoun
FCAT Math:
Braden Boutwell
Micah Calhoun
Jamiesha Gross
Hannah Rogers
Stewart Woodfin
Lacie Carter – Perfect Score
FCAT Reading:
Micah Calhoun
Cierra Dempsey
Mrs. Edgar:
Citizenship-
Emily Boutwell
Ben Cantrell
Jordan Godwin
Dean Hatcher
Kayla McKillion
Jacob Hawkins
Perfect Attendance-
Kayla McKillion
Ronnie Plenkers
All A/B’s-
Ben Cantrell
Jacob Hawkins
Kayla McKillion
Sunshine Math Team:
Ben Cantrell
Jacob Hawkins
Mrs. Barnes:
Citizenship-
David Green
Alexa Schlobohm
Kamren Simpkins
Katelyn Wilson
All A’s-
Alexa Schlobohm
Kamren Simpkins
Katelyn Wilson
All A/B’s-
David Green
Special:
FCAT Reading Level 5-
Kamren Simpkins
Brianna White
Katelyn Wilson
FCAT Math Level 5-
David Green
Alexa Schlobohm
Kamren Simpkins
Katelyn Wilson
Sunshine Math:
Alexa Schlobohm
Kamren Simpkins
Katelyn Wilson
Mrs. Godwin:
Citizenship-
McKenzie McCrory
Perfect Attendance-
Raeleigh Woodfin
All A’s-
McKenzie McCrory
Special:
Outstanding Science- Darion McShan
Sunshine Mathematics- McKenzie McCrory
FCAT Reading Level 5-
Raeleigh Woodfin- perfect score
FCAT Math Level 5-
McKenzie McCrory- perfect score
Raeleigh Woodfin
Kody Gresh
Darion McShan
Apply For Benefits, Fail A Drug Test And Get Investigated For Child Abuse?
June 16, 2011
People who apply for temporary assistance for needy families and fail the new required drug test may be subject to being investigated for child abuse, according to draft rules reported on Wednesday by the Tampa Tribune.
The draft rules, which could change, were published by the Department of Children and Families. They say that applicants who test positive for drugs must be referred to the Florida Abuse Hotline, which could start a child protective services investigation.
The requirement wasn’t spelled out in the law, passed this session, that requires drug testing for welfare applicants. The rulemaking to work out the details must be complete by July 1 when the new law takes effect
Two Escambia Men Sentenced To Life In Prison
June 16, 2011
Two Escambia County men recently released from prison are headed back behind bars after being convicted Wednesday in unrelated cases.
Terrance Lavell Coleman
Terrance Lavell Coleman, 23, entered a plea of guilty Wednesday before Judge Jan Shackelford on charges of aggravated sexual battery and aggravated battery committed upon a 52 year old woman on June 13, 2010. Immediately following his plea, Shackelford sentenced Coleman to life in prison and 30 years state prison concurrent, as a prison releasee reoffender.
Coleman had recently been released from state prison on June 1, 2010, after serving a sentence for a conviction of aggravated battery upon a woman in 2008 when he committed these crimes. He is also currently serving a life sentence he received after his conviction for aggravated sexual battery on another woman which he committed in July 2010. Coleman still faces pending charges for attempted sexual battery on another woman stemming from an attack at Pensacola Village on July 12, 2010. That case remains set for trial before Shackelford in August.
Raynell Donaldson, Jr.
Also Wednesday, Judge Paul Rasmussen sentenced Raynell Donaldson, Jr., to life in prison for robbery with a deadly weapon and 30 years consecutive for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
On April 27, 2011, Donaldson was convicted by an Escambia County jury of robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Donaldson approached a female victim and asked her how much money she had on her. When the victim showed Donaldson that she had only $2 on her, he became enraged and stabbed the victim 20 times before fleeing with the change, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Donaldson was previously released from prison in 2008 for a robbery and felony murder charge.
Photos: Summer Reading At Molino Park Elementary
June 16, 2011
The Molino Park Elementary School library was open Wednesday for students to enjoy reading and a little fun.
About 30 students enjoyed guest readers, blueberry pancakes, arts and crafts, and more.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
The library will be open again June 29, July 13, July 27 and August 10 for Molino Park students. The library will be open from 9 a.m. until noon. On June 29, students are encouraged to dress in red, white and blue for the Fourth, and August 10 will bring a back to school summer surprise.
There will be guest readers each day, along with activities related to the stories that are read. Parents and students can check out books, and students can take Accelerated Reader tests.
For more information, contact the school at (850) 587-5265.
Parents are required to stay with their children, and books that are checked out are due back August 10.
Pictured: Students enjoy summer reading — and blueberry pancakes — Wednesday morning at the Molino Park Elementary School library. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
