State BOE Changes To Common Core, Standards Ready By Spring
November 20, 2013
The State Board of Education could consider changes to the state’s standards for student learning as soon as February, Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said Tuesday.
The changes could also result in a re-branding of sorts for what have until now been known as the “Common Core State Standards” — part of a nationwide movement to set common education benchmarks that have angered conservative activists.
Stewart told the board at its meeting in Gainesville that nearly 19,000 comments had been received since Gov. Rick Scott ordered a fresh review of the standards in September. As part of that effort, three public hearings were held across Florida, and the state accepted comments online.
The Department of Education is working to reach an agreement with a Florida-based researcher to analyze the results of that outreach, with a report on the comments being released in January.
“I think that as we consider moving forward in rule development … this will provide us the opportunity [so] that we can be moving along that direction with the public having the information available to them from those 19,000 comments,” she said.
Common Core has become a political flashpoint in recent months, with tea party activists and others arguing that the standards amount to a federal intrusion in education, despite the fact that the development of the standards was spearheaded by governors and education officials.
The standards have been adopted in some form by almost four dozen states.
Stewart said a final draft of the benchmarks should be in front of the board by the spring, in February or March.
The new standards might also have a new name, said Joe Follick, a spokesman for the department. Given the input that the state has taken and the changes that are likely to be made, “it would be disingenuous to call them common core standards,” he said.
Some supporters of the emerging benchmarks have begun referring to them as the “Florida standards.”
But there is still resistance to the idea of any major overhaul of the guidelines, a pet project of former Gov. Jeb Bush. Kathleen Shanahan, a board member with close ties to Bush, pushed the board to consider teacher comments more heavily as it continues its review of Common Core.
Teachers at the public hearings were generally more support of the standards.
“Parents will be subjective, because they should be,” said Shanahan, who is leaving the board at the end of the year. “Teachers will be objective because that’s their role.”
Former Gov. Charlie Crist, a onetime Republican running for his old job as a Democrat, told reporters Tuesday that he stands behind Common Core, which supporters say will allow greater comparison among states.
“I think in order to be able to have an opportunity on behalf of our children to see how we’re doing, I think that those standards are appropriate,” Crist said. ” … And I think this is a real opportunity where we can start moving together as a country and as a state.”
Meanwhile, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents is pushing the state to delay the full implementation of the standards by up to three years. Currently, Common Core is only fully implemented in kindergarten, first and second grade, but is expected to be taught to all students next year after having been phased in.
Volusia County Superintendent Margaret Smith told the board going forward with a new test based on the standards, and then grading schools based on that test, was unfair — particularly given the uncertainty currently surrounding them.
“It is not realistic to expect that we can fully have a full and quality implementation in all K-12 grade levels by next year,” she said.
by The News Service of Florida
Moultrie Named Chairwoman Of Escambia School Board
November 20, 2013
Linda Moultrie has been elected as the next chair of the Escambia County School Board. The unanimous election of the District 3 member Tuesday marks the first time in the 143 year history of the board that an African-American woman has led the five member board.
Moultrie was elected to the school board in 2008 and has prefiled for re-election.
District 4 member Patty Hightower was name the vice-chairwoman of the board.
Northview Cross Country Team Members Honored
November 20, 2013
The Northview High School Cross Country team honored their outstanding member Tuesday night during their annual banquet.
Award winners included:
Fastest Boy: Brandon Korinchak
Fastest Girl: Morah McGahan
Jim Ross Memorial Award: Dakota Craft
Junmi Ross Award: Jessica Brown
Coach’s Award: Jessica Barrows
Coach’s Award: Joshua Borelli
Most Improved: Jessica Barrow
Pictured top: Fastest boy Brandon Korinchak and Fastest girl Moriah McGahan. Pictured inset: Jim Ross Memorial Award winner Dakota Craft. Pictured below: Coach’s Award winners Joshua Borelli and Jessica Barrow. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scroll down for more award winner photos.
East Tops West In All-Star High School Volleyball
November 20, 2013
The East Team — from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties — won the 2013 Subway All-Star High School Volleyball game in straight matches Tuesday at the University of West Florida Field House.
The East defeated the West 25-12, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20 in a best of a seven. West Florida High School’s Maddy Lopez was named East MVP.
The West team, representing Escambia County, was coached by Northview High School’s Barbara Luker and David Bryant from West Florida High School.
Members of the West Team were: Lauren Merts (Tate), Lily Townson, Danielle Steadham, Rebecca Grim, Tiffani Pritchett, and Lana Clayton (Northview), Cara McDaniel and Mallory Herrmann (Catholic), Jennifer Werner (Washington); Maddy Lopez, Rachel George, Casey Melvin, and Amanda Davis (West Florida High), Allison Palmer, Megan Kirst, and Brittany Delone (Pine Forest), Yenny Wu Ho (Pensacola High) and Tyaina Colston (Escambia).
Members of the East Team were: Sydney Lowery (Jay), Lauren Gordon (Laurel Hill); Caroline Lathi (Fort Walton Beach High), Clair Gunter (Rocky Bayou Christian School); Jasmine Middelton and Brittany Pase (Crestview); Kiera Foster (Navarre); Hana Wadsworth and Alex Roy (Baker), Keren Haygood (Milton), Emili Jordan, Brooklynn Roberts and Claire Pierson (Pace); Shannon McDonald (Choctaw); Sage Dunne and Alex Karcher (Gulf Breeze); Arielle Harris and Adrienne Harris (Central); Bailey Noon (Niceville).
Pictured top: Members of the West All-Start Team included (L-R) Lauren Merts from Tate High; Lily Townson, Rebecca Grim, Lana Clayton, Tiffani Pritchett and Danielle Steadham from Northview High. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gladys Susannah “Sue” Cummings Uebelsteadt
November 20, 2013
Gladys Susannah “Sue” Cummings Uebelsteadt, age 81, passed away on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.
Sue was born July 23, 1932, in Milton to Charles and Mary Cummings. She worked as a drawtwist operator at Solutia and retired after 26 years.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Pete Uebelsteadt; her mother, Mary Eunice Cummings and her father, Charles Alexander Cummings.
She is survived by her daughters, Gail (Bob) Summerlin, Sharon Sweeting, Bonnie (Skip) Gibson, Pam (Larry) Thomas and Becky (David) Waits; her son, David (Carmen) Uebelsteadt; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; four sisters and one brother.
Pallbearers will be Jeremy Gibson, Matthew Gibson, Zachary Fleming, Jason Fleming, Aaron Waits and Chris Uebelsteadt.
Visitation will be held Friday, November 22, 2013, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Faith Chapel North.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 23, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Chapel North.
Interment will take place immediately following at Jordan Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Deputies Tase Domestic Violence Suspect
November 19, 2013
An Escambia County deputy was forced to tase a Century man in order to subdue him following an alleged domestic violence incident Saturday night.
Emanuel Rabun Bethea, 27, was charged with domestic violence related battery, kidnapping-false imprisonment and resisting an officer with violence following the incident on Jack Smith Road, off Highway 168 outside Century.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was first to arrive in his marked patrol vehicle after a disturbance call in the 7500 block of Jack Smith Road. He watched as someone attempted to flee as he approached, spinning tires in a circular driveway, accelerating and running over a tree stump. Bethea exited the vehicle and ran, fell in the gravel driveway, got up and ran again despite multiple verbal commands from the deputy to stop. When Bethea fell again, he was tackled by the deputy.
According to an arrest report, Bethea refused to place his hands behind his back as ordered, instead he tried to reach his pocket multiple times. The deputy, not knowing what Bethea was trying to retrieve from his pocket, ordered him to stop or be tased. He refused to comply and was tased once before the deputy managed to handcuff one hand. Bethea continued to resist and another deputy arrived on scene and assisted in handcuffing him, according to the report.
During the struggle, Bethea reported told the deputy “just shoot me” multiple times. After Bethea was taken into custody, a folding pocket knife was located next to his leg. Bethea continued to fight deputies as he was placed in a patrol vehicle, the report states.
The female victim told deputies that she and Bethea live together at the Jack Smith Road address and that they have a child together. She said Bethea refused to allow her to leave the residence, grabbed her and took her cell phone while he prevented her from using the couple’s only vehicle.
Bethea was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital before being booked into the Escambia County Jail. The arresting deputy noted that Bethea was cooperative, polite and apologetic at the hospital. He remained in the Escambia County Jail early Tuesday morning with bond set at $7,500.
Despite Protest, Century Moves Ahead With Barnyard Animal Ban
November 19, 2013
Despite a small public protest, the Century Town Council took the first step toward a new barnyard animal control ordinance Monday night.
Residents against regulating animals such as horses, goats and donkeys protested alongside North Century Boulevard and sat in the council chamber with signs…”Barnyard Ban is a Joke.” “You want to change Century change the drugs…the speeders. Leave our animals alone.”
Under the ordinance, it will be illegal to keep a horse, mule, donkey, goat, sheep, or cow within the town limits except in areas that are zoned agricultural or rural residential. Hogs are already prohibited in all areas of the town.
“We already have laws that work. We just need to enforce them,” Century resident Maggie Waters said. “For us that do maintain our property….we are responsible and our neighbors don’t complain,” Century resident Maggie Waters said, standing with her young son Aiden, who also addressed the council. “If my little boy’s miniature horse were to pass away and we could not replace it, how would I explain that to him?”
The ordinance set minimum lot sizes in the agricultural and rural residential areas in order to keep livestock. A minimum lot size of one acre per horse or donkey will be required, and a minimum lot size of one-half acre per goat will also be required.
Structures for livestock, such as barns, feed lots and stables, shall not be located within 200 feet of a dwelling belonging to another individual or within 200 feet of property that is zoned residential. In addition, all barnyard animals and livestock must be kept at least 200 feet from any property line.
“If you’ve got one acre, there’s no way you can have a horse. Is that your purpose? The law is making it if you have the requisite acre, there’s no way you can keep an animal on it,” resident Tom Warta said. He said that in a few months, his steer will be headed to his freezer. And he because it would be illegal to replace it, the Century Town Council would essentially keep some residents from feeding themselves.
Before the ordinance becomes law, it must have a formal second reading and public hearing at a 7 p.m., December 2 council meeting.. At that time, the council will consider an amended ordinance that will allow animals currently in the town limits to be grandfathered in. The grandfather exemption would apply to the life of an animal; once the animal dies or is sold, the grandfather provision would no longer apply.
“If they died, or you ate them, or you sold them, you can’t replace them,” Council President Ann Brooks said of animals grandfathered until the proposed ordinance.
“I know some of the people in here, and I don’t think you have enough land to have the animals you have now,” council member Jacke Johnston said. “I do not think when I drive through the Town of Century I should see animals everywhere.”
Pictured top: A small group of protestors hold signs against a proposed barnyard animal ordinance during a Century Town Council meeting Monday night. Pictured inset: Maggie Waters and her young son Aiden address the Century Town Council in opposition to the ordinance. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Man For Questioning In Homicide
November 19, 2013
Investigators from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are looking for Jalen Lawrence Foster for questioning only in reference to an ongoing homicide investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office has not said which homicide Foster may have information about. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call (850) 436-9620 or (850) 436-9643.
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For Attempting To Kill Deputy
November 19, 2013
An Escambia County man was sentenced Monday to life in prison for the attempted murder of an Escambia County deputy.
Ryan Lewis Toler was sentenced to life in prison for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and a concurrent 15 years for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. He was previously convicted on November 1 by an Escambia County jury.
The incident took place on May 20, 2013, inside the Oakwood Terrace Apartment complex at approximately 9:00 a.m. Escambia County Deputy Michael Runge was in the process of contacting Toler on the property when the defendant fled on foot. Deputy Runge gave chase and during the chase Toler withdrew a pistol and pointed it at Runge and pulled the
trigger. The firearm did not discharge due to a faulty magazine.
Toler was apprehended shortly thereafter and the firearm was recovered on Market Street.
Subway All-Star High School Volleyball Game Tonight
November 19, 2013
The Subway-High School All-Star Volleyball Game will take place tonight, featuring the best senior volleyball players from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
Tickets are $7 or $5 with a canned food donation to the Manna Food Bank. The game begins at 6 p.m. at the University of West Florida Field House.
The West Team (representing Escambia County) will be coached by Northview High School’s Barbara Luker and David Bryant from West Florida High School.
Members of the West Team are: Lauren Merts (Tate), Lily Townson, Danielle Steadham, Rebecca Grim, Tiffani Pritchett, and Lana Clayton (Northview), Cara McDaniel and Mallory Herrmann (Catholic), Jennifer Werner (Washington); Maddy Lopez, Rachel George, Casey Melvin, and Amanda Davis (West Florida High), Allison Palmer, Megan Kirst, and Brittany Delone (Pine Forest), Yenny Wu Ho (Pensacola High) and Tyaina Colston (Escambia).
Tommiko Parks from Baker High School will coach the East Team (Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties).
Members of the East Team are: Sydney Lowery (Jay), Lauren Gordon (Laurel Hill); Caroline Lathi (Fort Walton Beach High), Clair Gunter (Rocky Bayou Christian School); Jasmine Middelton and Brittany Pase (Crestview); Kiera Foster (Navarre); Hana Wadsworth and Alex Roy (Baker), Keren Haygood (Milton), Emili Jordan, Brooklynn Roberts and Claire Pierson (Pace); Shannon McDonald (Choctaw); Sage Dunne and Alex Karcher (Gulf Breeze); Arielle Harris and Adrienne Harris (Central); Bailey Noon (Niceville).
Pictured top: Northview members of the West All-Start Team (L-R) Lily Townson, Rebecca Grim, Lana Clayton, Tiffani Pritchett and Danielle Steadham during the school’s Senior Night activities. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.