Florida Board Of Education Approves Common Core Changes
February 19, 2014
The State Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to go forward with dozens of changes to the Common Core State Standards, a move that seemed unlikely to quell the grass-roots furor over the educational benchmarks.
The approval followed a raucous public hearing that seemed to indicate that passionate opposition to the benchmarks remains despite a concerted effort by Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Department of Education to tamp down conservative anger over the standards.
Education Commissioner Pam Stewart has argued that the changes, which include reinserting creative writing into the standards and explicitly including calculus guidelines, as well as the fact that the state has science and social studies standards that aren’t part of the Common Core, justify renaming the initiative as the “Florida Standards.”
Stewart told reporters after the vote that it made the state’s standards clear.
“The vote that the board took today certainly does lay to rest where we’re headed, the direction we’re going with our standards, and this is the right move,” she said.
But dozens of activists slammed the standards during a lengthy public hearing before the vote, portraying Common Core as a federal plot to take over education and blaming it for a variety of ills. While the benchmarks were spearheaded by a coalition of state officials, they have since been encouraged by the U.S. Department of Education.
“I do not want a watered-down, world-class system; I want a school system that promotes American exceptionalism,” said Chris Quackenbush, a leader of the anti-Common Core movement.
At one point, Quackenbush and board chairman Gary Chartrand clashed over an attempt to stop audience members from clapping during the meeting. For a while, the crowd seemed to go along, waving their hands and at least one American flag instead of applauding.
Stacie Clark, another critic of the standards, said Common Core was already causing health problems in the state because of stress over homework and coursework given to students who are too young.
“There is an emergent psychological pandemic taking place among children in Florida,” she said. “It’s called Common Core, or it used to be until it was rebranded. Our children are suffering from anxiety attacks, vomiting, emotional outbursts, headaches and even self-mutilation.”
Terry Kemple, president of Community Issues Council, a Tampa Bay-area Christian advocacy group, was among those saying there could be consequences for elected officeholders, as opposed to the appointed Board of Education.
“We’re hopeful that the Legislature and the governor realize before it’s too late that there will be a political price to pay if they don’t take decisive action to stop Common Core now,” he said.
A few speakers at the hearing took up for Common Core.
“These Florida Standards will help our state and its students remain competitive in the global economy,” said Morgan McCord of Florida TaxWatch.
The board also seemed to indicate agreement with a set of changes to the school grading system, which Stewart will now take to the Legislature. The initiative is meant to simplify the often-confusing grading process while also setting the stage for a new test that will be used in the 2014-15 school year.
While schools will not face penalties for the grades they receive that year, Stewart said the grades would establish a starting point for future cycles. She dismissed the idea that the state should forget doing the grades altogether for fear that it could shock parents and teachers.
“We’ll still see that, but it will just be a year later, and I’m not sure the benefit by just waiting another year,” she said.
But Florida Education Association President Andy Ford said the changes to the grading were “cosmetic” and wouldn’t fix problems with the system.
“Florida needs a pause in this madness,” he said. “School grades are underpinned by high-stakes testing. Even with the education commissioner’s proposed grading simplification, grades will still be largely based on high stakes testing — a test we don’t even have yet.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Nurse Practitioners Win First Round In Fight For More Power
February 19, 2014
Despite opposition from physician groups, a House select committee Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a proposal that would give additional power to nurse practitioners — including allowing them to provide care without doctor supervision.
House Republican leaders have pushed the proposal, at least in part because they say it would help address a shortage of primary-care physicians in the state. Senate leaders have shown less enthusiasm, but Tuesday’s vote was a milestone for the group of health providers technically known as “advanced registered nurse practitioners,” who have long sought more authority.
“This debate will now be had because of the work we’ve done here,” said Rep. Jose Oliva, a Miami Lakes Republican who is chairman of the House Select Committee on Health Care Workforce Innovation.
Physician groups, such as the influential Florida Medical Association, are lobbying against the proposal. They point to years of additional training that doctors receive to provide care and raise questions about why students would want to take on huge amounts of debt to attend medical school if they could do much of the same work as nurse practitioners.
“We’re trying to solve a problem of access and affordability (of medical care), and I think this bill comes at it from a very wrong direction,” said Rep. Gayle Harrell, a Stuart Republican who was one of the lone dissenters in a 13-2 vote by the select committee.
Advanced registered nurse practitioners have more education and training than registered nurses and contend that they already provide much of the care envisioned in the bill (PCB SCHCWI 14-01). Along with applying to nurse practitioners who provide primary care, the bill would apply to specialists such as nurse anesthetists.
Under current law, nurse practitioners work under the supervision of physicians, receiving approval of what are known as “protocols” that outline care. The bill still would allow nurse practitioners to work under the supervision of physicians, but it also would free them to meet criteria to work independently. Also, they could get authority to prescribe controlled substances.
Rep. Cary Pigman, an Avon Park Republican and physician who is leading the House’s effort on the bill, rejected arguments about issues such as the proposed changes leading people to forgo becoming primary-care physicians.
“I see this as opening more doors,” Pigman said. “I see no doors closing.”
But the bill deals with what are known in Tallahassee as “scope of practice” issues, which physician groups typically watch very closely. Rep. Travis Cummings, R-Orange Park, described those issues as a “contact sport.”
Harrell and Rep. Elaine Schwartz, a Hollywood Democrat who cast the other dissenting vote, said they think the bill goes too far in expanding the nurse practitioners’ scope of practice.
“It is really much too broad for my comfort,” Schwartz said.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Trouble Looms For State Pension Proposal
February 19, 2014
Hopes seemed to evaporate Tuesday that exempting law-enforcement officials and emergency personnel would make changes to the state retirement system an easier sell this year, as a key senator signaled he had deep reservations about the measure.
The Senate Community Affairs Committee voted to introduce the bill (SPB 7046) by a 5-4 margin after Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, joined the panel’s three Democrats in voting against the measure. Latvala was one of a handful of renegade GOP senators who sank a more-sweeping pension overhaul last year.
“I’ve got more convincing to do,” said Senate Community Affairs Chairman Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, who sponsored the bill.
This year’s Senate proposal would close the Florida Retirement System’s traditional pension plan to new employees after July 1, 2015, though those employees already in the system would remain. New hires would be required to choose between a 401(k)-style investment plan and a “cash balance” plan, which in some ways acts like a 401(k) but guarantees a minimum benefit.
Employees would have de facto accounts set up and would be guaranteed a return of at least 2 percent a year on the money in their accounts. If the plan’s investments made more than 2 percent, then three-quarters of the extra money would go to employees.
Law enforcement officers and emergency personnel who qualify for the “special risk” category could still sign up for the traditional pension plan, a concession that appeared to be aimed at winning over at least some of last year’s critics. But Latvala said that some law enforcement employees wouldn’t qualify, and he questioned carving out certain groups.
He also criticized the decision to move forward with the bill before an accounting study on the effect of the changes was complete.
“I really am taken aback by how you would want us to start voting on a bill where — although you may understand, and you may believe in your heart, and I know you believe in your heart that this is the right thing for our future — when we don’t have any numbers, any actuarial study to show us that,” Latvala said.
Simpson said he could not guarantee that the study would be available in time for every committee that considers the measure, but suggested it would be available at least once.
“What I will say is that it would not be appropriate for the Appropriations Committee to hear this bill before we have that study back,” Simpson said.
Supporters say an overhaul is necessary to help preserve the pension plan without bankrupting the state. Lawmakers already set aside $500 million a year to try to cover costs of the “unfunded actuarial liability” in the plan. If the plan were to fail, Simpson said, retirees who rely on the fund could be wiped out.
“I would just say that anyone that’s opposed to these current shifts (is) jeopardizing everyone in this pension plan’s livelihood,” he said.
House leaders still have not spelled out their plan for revamping the retirement plan, long a top priority of Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. The House is considering either a cash balance system or a proposal that would divide an employee’s retirement between the traditional pension plan and the investment plan.
“There’s a glaring problem with $500 million a year that we’re putting towards the pension fund as opposed to education,” Weatherford said Tuesday. “It’s too soon to say what exactly what it’s going to look like.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Chiefs Beat Rocky Bayou
February 19, 2014
The Northview Chiefs beat Rocky Bayou Monday night in Bratt, 4-2.
The Chiefs (2-0) will be action again Thursday night on the road for district game at Baker before returning home to face the Flomaton Hurricanes on February 24. Both games begin at 6 p.m.
For a bonus photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com and Ramona Preston photos, click to enlarge.
Nola Belle Pettis
February 19, 2014
Ms. Nola Belle Pettis, age 89 of Wolf Log Road in Flomaton, passed away Saturday, February 15, 2014, in a Florala nursing facility.
Ms. Pettis was born in Brewton, and had been a resident of Flomaton since 1975, coming from Pensacola. She was retired from Monsanto and was of the Baptist faith.
She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Hazel Morris of Brewton and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, from the chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home with Rev. Clyde Jeffery Harris, Rev. Gregory Keith Harris, and Rev. James Henry officiating.
Interment will follow in Little Escambia Cemetery.
Carl C. Penton
February 19, 2014
Carl C. Penton, 87, of New Boston, died Monday, February 17, 2014, at the Southern Ohio Medical Center. Born on September 2, 1926 , in Jay, he was a son of the late Claude R. and Bertha Julia Diamond Penton.
Survivors include his wife, Kathryn Silvia Penton; three sons, Joseph (Mary Ann) Penton of Cantonment, Hurston (Lina) Penton of Newport, NC, and Ron (Barbara) Penton of Havelock, NC; three stepsons, Mark (Marsha) Fields of Portsmouth, David (Edie) Fields of Tennessee, and Danny Fields; a stepdaughter, Roxie (Mike) Monroe of Mulberry, Fla., and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Also preceding her in death are a brother, Lawrence Penton and a stepson, Timothy Fields.
A graveside funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2014, at the Pine Level Baptist Church Cemetery in Jay.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Peggy Scott Godwin
February 19, 2014
Peggy Scott Godwin, age 78, of Jay passed away Monday, February 17, 2014. She was a member of the Jay Church of Christ and was a strong supporter of this congregation during her lifetime. She was devoted to her family as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Terrell Wayne Godwin; children, Bruce Wayne (Debbie) Godwin, Stephanie Diane (John) Solomon, J.D., Suzette Dawn Godwin, M.Ed., Sandra Elizabeth Godwin, Ph.D.; grandchildren, Brandon (Natasha) Godwin, Aaron Godwin, M.D., Jacob (Erin) Godwin, Makenna Suzette (Justin) Hudson R.N., Ashton (Thomas) Ashworth, J.P. Solomon and Levi Solomon; great-grandchildren, Brady, Maggie, Palmer, Darby, and Kayleigh. She is also survived by her sisters, Louise Buffington and Iris La Faye Smith.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Etha Mattie Scott; father, Raymond Douglass Scott; brother, Raymond Max Scott; and granddaughter, Mattie Elizabeth Solomon.
Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.
Honorary pallbearers will be her nieces and nephews, Michael Scott, Lewie Joe Smith, Connie Autrey, Sharon Patrick, Jeanna English, Haynes Gandy, Vicki Baggett, Stacey Godwin, and Melissa Bates.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 20, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the Jay Church of Christ.
Burial will follow at Jay City Cemetery.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Arnold G. Hill
February 19, 2014
Arnold G. Hill, 69, of Macon, GA, died peacefully Wednesday, February 5, 2014, with his family by his side after a brief and sudden battle with cancer. He was born March 29, 1944, to Fitzhugh & Mabel Hill in Flomaton. He was also known as “A.G.”, “Gator” and “Pop-Pop”. He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He married Georgia “Chickie” Hahn and they were blessed with almost 48 years of marriage. He was a veteran with the United States Air Force and retired as an engineer with Norfolk Southern after many years.
He enjoyed many hobbies, such as golfing, fishing, working in his yard, puttering in his workshop and traveling. He absolutely loved and treasured each moment with his eight precious grandchildren. He loved spending as much time as possible at the family’s rustic cabin, RAZAHABA, in the beautiful north woods of Michigan. He and his family spent every summer there making sweet memories. He always said that the cabin and north woods are as close as you could get to heaven! Arnold loved his family and friends dearly and he made sure they knew that every day. He never met a stranger, was always there when people needed him, generous, kind and always smiling…what a precious example of God’s love! He loved the Lord and his church family and was a man of deep faith. The world will forever be a better place because he was in it.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Chickie; their four daughters, Stacy (Kenny) Byrd of Macon, GA, Stephanie (Greg) Conner, Shelli (Toby) Rimes and Sara (Jason) Gibson, all of Huntsville, AL; eight precious grandchildren, Brooks Byrd, Bryson Byrd, Presley Conner, Marley Conner, Braden Rimes, Cora Rimes, Charlie Gibson & Georgia Gibson; two brothers, Harold Hill and Floyd Hill of Flomaton and many other loving relatives.
A celebration of life was held Sunday, February 9, 2014, at Mabel White Baptist Church with pastors Dr. Lee Sheppard, Franklin Etheridge and Lee Griffin officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Mabel White Baptist Church Missions, 1415 Bass Road Macon, GA.
Century To Look To China For Local Jobs
February 18, 2014
In their search for local economic growth, Century is now turning to China for possible jobs.
The Century Town Council has approved spending about $3,650 economic development dollars to send Mayor Freddie McCall, Century Chamber Economic Development Coordinator Cindy Anderson and town consultant Debbie Nickles to the U.S.-China Manufacturing Symposium that will be held in Dothan on March 26-28. Co-organized by SoZo Group and China Chamber of International Commerce, the symposium will bring up to about 400 Chinese businessmen looking to bring businesses to American soil.
The Dothan event is the combination to two events, including the smaller Alabama-China Partnership Symposium that was held a few years ago in Monroeville, Ala. That event paid off for Thomasville, , a town of 4,209 people just over 100 miles northwest of Century, landed a deal with the Golden Dragon copper tubing plant that now employs over 100 people with plans to triple that workforce in the next year. The town was able to recruit the Chinese plant that employees local Thomasville residents without ever traveling to China.
Century was the only small Florida Panhandle community invited to participate, according to Nickles, by Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz.
“I believe the symposium will provide a unique opportunity for the town,” Nickles said.
Century’s price tag for attending the event includes $2,400 in registration fees, hotel expenses for Nickles and McCall (Anderson’s lodging will be paid the Century Chamber), and $1,253 for ad agency Ideawörks to create and print 500 tri-fold brochures promoting Century.
Delays Today On Hwy 4 Escambia River Bridge
February 18, 2014
Crews will perform a routine bridge inspection on State Road 4 over the Escambia River in Escambia County on Tuesday. Eastbound traffic will encounter lane restrictions from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to travel with care through the work zone and to watch for construction equipment and workers entering and exiting the roadway.