State Board Set To Request More Money For Florida Schools
September 26, 2016
The Florida Board of Education appears ready to request another record figure of per-student funding for public education, setting a starting point for what is annually one of the most politically charged debates over the state budget.
But the increase is likely to draw some of the same complaints as it has in the past: While the proposed per-student spending is more than ever in raw numbers, it has not kept up with inflation since a previous high-water mark was set nearly a decade ago.
A draft of the request, posted on the Department of Education’s website Thursday, proposes spending almost $20.9 billion in state and local tax dollars next year through the main formula for funding public education in Florida, an increase of $721.6 million.
The request is set to be adopted by the board at its meeting Friday, then sent to Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders for use in crafting the overall state spending plan for the fiscal year that will start July 1.
On a per-student basis, the figure would grow from $7,183.92 in the current budget year to $7,359.85 next year. That represents growth of almost 2.5 percent. That is slightly above the amount that state economists project would flow to schools based on increased tax dollars from local property values if the state invested nothing more.
That could allow state budget-writers to substantially increase funding for education with only a portion of the new funding — about $222.2 million — coming from a state budget already expected to be stretched thin. But it also could tangle the politics of the issue after lawmakers and Scott trumpeted an effort this year to hold property taxes flat, offsetting the lost income with state money.
That left room for just a 1 percent increase in student funding this year.
While Scott and other state leaders have bragged about increasing spending on state schools to record levels, the Florida Education Association teachers union has disputed that idea, saying those pronouncements don’t account for inflation since the 2007-08 budget year, when legislators hit what used to be the historical record.
“Florida’s public schools and their students continue to make gains despite tepid financial support from the state,” said Mark Pudlow, a spokesman for the union. “When adjusted for inflation, this proposed budget still doesn’t equal what we were investing on our public schools a decade ago.”
The plan to be considered by the board Friday would also do away with the Florida Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship Program — which received $49 million in the current budget year. Instead, the department would create a $43 million program that would “support bonuses for new teachers who show great potential for and veteran teachers who have demonstrated the highest student academic growth among their peers,” according to meeting materials.
Best and Brightest has been controversial because it bases teacher bonuses on educators’ scores on college-admissions tests.
State officials were traveling for the board meeting, which will be held in Tampa, and could not immediately be reached to further explain the changes.
In higher education, the budget requests an additional $29.1 million for the Bright Futures scholarship program to cover the costs of expanding the scholarships to cover summer courses. And a program aimed at drawing high-achieving students who receive national merit scholarship recognition to Florida colleges would grow by more than 41 percent, to $18.2 million.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Hot And Humid Monday, But Cooler Temps Coming
September 26, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. West wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 61. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 82. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 56. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 81. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Bonus Gallery: Northview Beats Vancleave
September 26, 2016
The Northview Chiefs beat Vancleave, MS, Friday night.
Click here for a photo gallery from Friday night’s Northview at Vancleave, MS game.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
Over 5800 Local Ballots Headed To Military, Overseas Residents
September 26, 2016
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office is sending over 5,800 vote-by-mail ballots to eligible military and overseas citizens. Voters will either receive their ballot by mail or electronically, depending on their chosen method of delivery. Absent military voters and those living overseas can request, mark and track their vote-by-mail ballots electronically.
Vote-by-mail ballots for all eligible domestic voters will be mailed beginning on Tuesday, October 4. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot to be mailed for the General Election is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2. To request or track your vote-by-mail ballot for the General Election, visit EscambiaVotes.com and click “Vote by Mail”, or contact the Supervisor of Elections Office at (850) 595-3900.
Bonus Gallery: Niceville Tops Tate
September 26, 2016
Friday night, the Tate Aggies fell to Niceville High School.
For a photo gallery of raw, unedited photos from the game, click here.
For a game summary, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Julia Ernestine Miniard
September 26, 2016
Julia Ernestine Miniard, 93, of Spanish Fort, AL, passed away Friday, September 23, 2016, in Daphne, AL. She was born on May 6, 1923, in Red Level, AL to the late Julian C. and Nancy Viola Nall Ingram. She was co-owner of Southland Broadcasting, and a member of First United Methodist Church of Atmore. She lived in Atmore for many years until February 2008 when she moved to Westminster Village in Spanish Fort, AL.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Tom Miniard; two brothers, Vernon C. Ingram and Lomax Ingram.
Survivors include two sons, Larry Thomas (Myra) Miniard of Daphne, AL and Donald Phillip (Martha) Miniard of Clearwater, FL; one brother, James (Wilma) Ingram of Red Level, AL; one sister, Eleanor Pitts of Red Level, AL; five grandchildren, Brandi, Sherri, Robert, Sarah and Michael; two great-grandchildren, Raygan and Leigh Anne; many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Services will be held Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at 11 a.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Debora Bishop officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Family will receive friends Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until service time.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to “More Than Bricks” at First United Methodist Church.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Evelyn Parker Sellers
September 26, 2016
Evelyn Parker Sellers, 92 of Atmore, AL, passed away Thursday, September 22, 2016, in Atmore. She was employed at The Greater Fair. She was born on March 4, 1924, in Pike County, AL, to the late Jessie and Rosa Bell Mobley Maughon. She was a longtime member of Brooks Memorial Church.
She is preceded in death by her husbands, Roy H. Parker and Author M. Sellers, Jr.; son, Billy Roy Parker; brothers, Robert Maughon, Jessie S. Maughon, Jr. and Malcolm Maughon; sisters, Elna Hagewood and Grace McCoy.
Survivors include three sons, Mickey (Sue) Parker, Mark Parker, and Mike Parker all of Atmore; grandchildren, Amanda Brown, Julie Luker, Katie Linam, Jesie Parker, Jake Parker, Quinten Parker, Connie Alexander, Tony Wheeler and Pete Wheeler; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services were held Monday, September 26, 2016, from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Mike Grindle and Bro. Robert Heard officiating.
Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be men of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Leo Harris
September 26, 2016
Mr. Leo Harris, 80, passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2016, in Atmore, Alabama.
Mr. Harris was a native of Little River, AL and a resident of Atmore, AL for most of his life. Mr. Harris drove for Scott Paper Co, Kimberly Clark, Alabama Tank and Swift Supply. He is of the Church of God faith.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Verna Mae Harrison Harris; daughter, Janice Marie Harris; brothers, Willie and Johnny Harris; three sisters, Cleo Harris, Bertha Adams and Jannie Toler; and parents, John and Eliza Harris.
He is survived by a son, Jerry (Diane) Harris of Stockton, AL; two daughters, Tammy Harris of Molino, FL and Judy Harris of Atmore; two sisters, Ida Hall of Atmore and Lillian “Bounce” Weekley of Perdido, AL; four grandchildren, Krystal Brakeman of Decatur, AL, Heather Moize of Cantonment, FL, Daniel Pierce of Molino, FL and Tyler Harris of Jay, FL; and one great-grandchild, Scarlet Moize.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. David Harrison officiating.
Burial will follow at the Serenity Garden Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Floyd Harris, Daniel Harris, Ronnie Hall, Freddie Weekley, Daniel Pierce and Bobby Harrison.
Honorary pallbearers will be Roger Purefoy, Mike Howle and Lenson Bethea.
Special thanks to Regina, Connie, Kriss and Judy with Covenant Hospice.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Edward Earl Owens
September 26, 2016
Earl left us on Friday, September 16, 2016, to join his deceased and beloved wife, Jeanette of 63 years. Earl Owens was president and owner of Carroll Construction Co. He was a plumber by trade and member of Local 366, Plumbers and Pipefitters, Army veteran, Mason and 32nd Degree millwright. H was also a board member and originator in developing the Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club.
Earl is survived by his daughter, Kay Fish (Bob); son, David Owens (Angie); six grandchildren, Sherry Rendell, Tim Rendell, Kevin Rendell, Daryl Owens, Jay Owens and Travis Owens; five great-grandchildren, Erica, Fisher, Macey Rendell, Abi Gail Robertson and Brook Owens.
In lieu of flowers, Daddy’s love for animals, his wish was to have contributions be made to Escambia County Animal Shelter.
Graveside services were held at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery on Tuesday, September 20, 2016.
Hank Nellums
September 26, 2016
Hank Nellums, 59, from Pensacola, FL, died unexpectedly at his home Wednesday, September 21, 2016. Hank was born in Pensacola on July 28, 1957.
He is survived by his wife, Yvonne; his children, Michelle Rath (Greg), Kristen, and Matthew (Kelsey); his grandson, Andrew Nellums; his parents, Richard and Mary Gainey and Dutch and JoAnne Nellums; his sisters, Ellen (Eddie) Soyka, Natalie (Jeff) Bolton, and Julie (Todd) Lipham.
Hank attended Pace High School and was part of the first graduating class in 1975. He then attended Auburn University.
Hank enjoyed coaching baseball and basketball and spending time with his grandson.
A private graveside service will be held at Roberts Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is entrusted with arrangements.