Update: Superintendent Drops Proposal To Eliminate Valedictorian, Salutatorian Honors
June 14, 2021
Monday, Escambia County School District Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith pulled a controversial plan change from the school board agenda that would have eliminated high school valedictorians and salutatorians at the county’s high schools.
Beginning with students in the incoming freshmen class this fall, the valedictory and salutatory awards would have longer be presented under an updated student progression plan. If approved, there would have been no valedictorian or salutatorian named at high schools in Escambia County beginning with the graduating class of 2025.
Instead, the Latin honors of Cum Laude, defined by the district as the top 20% of students at a high school, Magna Cum Laude (top 10%) and Summa Cum Laude (top 5%) ” would have soleby been used to identify high achieving students,” according to the proposed plan.
After an earlier version of this NorthEscambia.com story published Monday morning, hundreds of people took our comments section, our social media sites and other social media pages to blast the proposal. Before the board meeting, it was very hard to find a comment in support of dropping the valedictorian and salutatorian honors.
“I’ve been appalled at some of the discussion points. I’ve been called and told, ‘have read this and have you read this’,” District 5 board member Bill Slayton said.
“Our community, I’m not sure, I really have to say I don’t care whether you like it or not,” Slayton said. “I appreciate and want the opportunity to continue this conversation, and let’s see where it goes from there.”
“It is a subject that I would like to continue to get information on and release it to the public,” he said. “I think there are group of people out there that will support this because I don’t believe they find it to be that necessary. There are people out there that believe it is very important to their child.”
“We do give everybody a trophy. It’s called a diploma and they earned it,” Slayton added.
“It is not giving everyone a trophy; it is not about no competition,” board member Patty Hightower said, detailing the reasons why the awards might should be eliminated.
“What I would like to see us do is have some conversations with students about this process,” she said. “I think we do need that competition … but I would like to have that conversation with students. How do you feel? How would you feel? What do you think this is going to do? Then have that conversation with parents.”
School board members Kevin Adams and Paul Fetsko both said they had received a large number of contacts, all of which were against the plan.
Fetsko said over 400 people had contacted him, “and not a single one wants it to stop.”
Adams said making such a decision would be a slippery slope when the very best students are honored in sports and other school programs.
Board members did discuss that sometimes students must choose whether to pursue the goal of being top of the class or make decisions to take part in other activities or sports.
“If something else more important, then you make decisions,” Fetsko said. “And that’s what goes on in life. In life you have to make decisions, you have to decide what you are going to set at a priority and you’re not. And that’s a healthy thing to do.”
The proposal originated with Lesa Morgan, the school district’s director of high school education. She said the problem is pressure on the students and how it can impact their wellbeing.
“It can be devastating,” Morgan said, for those that are just a fraction of a point away from the top. “This day and time, we all know the whole world is fragile. There’s a lot of stress, especially on our young folks … the competition can be very unhealthy, an unhealthy obsession.”
She said students working for the top of the class does not always participate in other activities.
Gilley Proposes Warning To Anyone Contacting Escambia County By Email Or Online
June 14, 2021
Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley is proposing a warning to anyone contacting the county by email that their IP address may be public record.
The move comes after an anonymous Escambia County employee made an anonymous public records request in an apparent effort to potentially reveal the identity of the person that made an anonymous email records request for documents. The county received an email request in late April from an email address with no name — an email that on the surface appears to not identify the sender.
“The IT Director (Siders) believed it would be unethical, and a violation of the anonymity provisions in Chapter 119 (Florida public records law) as a public entity, to effectively identify that person making the request through providing their IP address. I agreed with his decision,” Gilley wrote.
Escambia County Attorney Alison Rogers disagreed, saying the header containing IP addresses is part of the email and thus public record.
“Under Florida law, a public record must be disclosed unless there is a specific exemption,” Rogers told NorthEscambia.com. “We consulted with the Attorney General’s Office. They found no exemption and advised that it was a public record that must be disclosed.”
This Thursday, Gilley is asking the county commission for new warnings to the public that their IP address might be disclosed.
“This will provide further notice to the public,” Gilley said in a written memo.
“It is common knowledge that providing a specific IP address is similar to providing the location or name of the person who sent the message. IP addresses are unique, and disclosing the IP address of the anonymous citizen in question could ultimately reveal that person’s identity and render them anonymous no more — which could be in violation of the law. So the County will change the disclaimers to appropriately notify the public,” Gilley continued.
In part, Gilley is proposing the following disclaimer additions:
- On the county’s public records request system — “To submit a public records request to better ensure anonymity, you will not be able to use the online service or email.”
- On the county website — “If you do not want your email address or IP address released in response to a public records request, do not send your request electronically but make your request via phone.”
- And on all county email taglines: “Under Florida law, both the content of emails, email addresses and IP addresses are public records. If you do not want the content of your email, your email address, or your IP address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity.”
The Escambia County Commission will consider Gilley’s disclaimer requests at their next meeting on Thursday.
In the case of the IP address of the anonymous email requester that was later requested by an anonymous county employee, NorthEscambia.com and an independent cybersecurity expert determined the IP address was not unique and did not disclose any identifying information about email sender. For more information, read “NorthEscambia.com Investigates: Escambia Employee Makes Anonymous Records Request To Identify Anonymous Citizen (And Why It Won’t Work)“.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
New Signal At Highway 29, Molino Road Becomes Operational Tuesday
June 14, 2021
The new traffic signal at the intersection of Highway 29 and Molino Road is set to become operational at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 15.
The signal is currently in flash mode to acquaint motorists with the new location. The Florida Department of Transpiration said drivers are urged to use caution when approaching the intersection.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Slight Chance Of Showers Tonight
June 14, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Jay High’s Carson Walters, First National Merit Finalist In School History, Receives Auburn Scholarship
June 14, 2021
Jay High School Class of 2021 graduate Carson Walters has been awarded the National Merit Auburn University Scholarship. Walters is the first National Merit Scholar finalist to graduate from Jay High.
College-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners are a part of a distinguished group of about 7,500 high school seniors who will receive National Merit Scholarships for college undergraduate study worth a total of nearly $30 million. Walters lists his probable career field as orthopedic surgery and will be attending Auburn University in the fall.
Cottage Hill Neighborhood Watch Meets Tonight
June 14, 2021
A newly formed Cottage Hill Neighborhood Watch group will meet tonight.
The neighborhood watch group will meet with representatives of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill, 230 Williams Ditch Road.
Residents of the Cottage Hill community are encouraged to attend.
AAA Says Florida Gas Prices Are The Highest Since 2014
June 14, 2021
Florida gas prices increased as projected last week, with the state average jumping 12 cents. The increase was following significant gains in the prices of crude oil and gasoline futures, as the recovery in global fuel demand outpaces supply, according to AAA.
The average price per gallon in Florida is now $2.97, the most expensive since 2014.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was also $2.97 Sunday night. The lowest price to be found in Cantonment was $2.87 on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while in Pensacola two warehouse clubs were at $2.72.
“Fortunately, futures prices flattened out last week, so drivers should not face another round of rising prices this week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Land Being Cleared For New Dollar General Store In Century
June 13, 2021
Work is underway at the planned location for a new Dollar General store in Century.
Land is currently being cleared for the store in the 7000 block of North Century Boulevard, on the west side of the road between Highway 4A and West Hecker Road.
According to plans for the proposed store, it will be 9,291 square feet on about 1.5 acres. It will have 31 total parking spaces, with entrances from North Century Boulevard and West Hecker Road. The developer has told the town that they will remove 17 trees from the property. They plan to replant those 17 trees at the site, along with five flowering trees and 15 shade trees in the Nadine McCaw Park on North Century Boulevard, just northeast of the planned store.
The new Century Dollar General will employ about 6-10 people. It will include the new “DG Fresh” concept that offers fresh produce and healthier grocery options.
Angela Petkovic of Dollar General Corporate Relations told NorthEscambia.com said the new store will not replace the current Dollar General just over a mile and a half away on North Century Boulevard near the state line, the Food Giant and a Family Dollar. The existing Century Dollar General opened in July 2002 in a building that was constructed in 1970.
The new Century Dollar General will employ about 6-10 people.
Pictured: Land is being cleared for a new Dollar General store in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Issued For Nine Mile Road Area From Pine Forest To Beulah Road
June 13, 2021
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED THE AFTERNOON OF JUNE 15, 2021.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued by the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority for customers along West Nine Mile Road from Pine Forest Road To Beulah Road.
ECUA crews completed repairs Saturday to a 16-inch pipe in the area, and they have flushed out the lines.
Residents are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes.
Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours and the notice will be rescinded at that time.
Residents in the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.
Traffic Alerts – What To Expect On The Road This Week
June 13, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - The Pensacola Bay Bridge has reopened. Drivers will encounter nighttime lane restrictions on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, June 11 through Thursday, June 17 as crews work to restore four travel lanes for the length of the bridge.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction – There is a new, temporary traffic configuration in place for the 17th Avenue interchange in Pensacola. Traffic exiting the Pensacola Bay Bridge now has direct access to both 17th Avenue northbound and Gregory Street westbound. 17th Avenue southbound is currently closed at Bayfront Parkway while work on the interchange continues. Access to the Pensacola Visitors Center and boat launch remains open from 17th Avenue. Westbound access to the bridge is available via Bayfront Parkway, however, there are no left turns permitted from 14th Avenue to Bayfront Parkway. These drivers should detour to Ninth Avenue southbound, turn east onto Chase Street, and then continue east to Bayfront Parkway and the Pensacola Bay Bridge
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews work to replace the southbound portion of the structure.
- Drivers will encounter brief, intermittent lane closures as crews mobilize materials and equipment. The brief, intermittent lane closures and traffic configuration will continue through the end of the year.
- Pile driving work is also underway. Crews will be driving piles during the daytime hours. Nearby residents and commercial property owners may experience noise and vibration.
- During the week of June 14, Ninth Avenue will be temporarily closed near Carpenters Creek during nighttime hours for approximately 10-15 minutes to allow crews to move a crane.
- · U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent day and nighttime lane closures, Monday through Friday, throughout the limits of the project for striping operations, signal work, and other miscellaneous items needed complete the project.
o A new traffic signal on U.S. 29 at Molino Road (County Road 182) will become fully operational around 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 15. The new signal is mounted horizontally on mast arms. Motorists with color weakness problems will need to remember red is on the left and green on the right. The signal is currently in flash mode to acquaint motorists with the new location. Drivers are urged to use caution when approaching the intersection.
- West Cervantes (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – Drivers are encountering inside day and nighttime lane closures between Dominguez Street and Shoemaker Street as crews perform median improvement work. One lane in each direction will be maintained. The median work and lane closures will progress eastward on Cervantes Street until the end of the year. The speed limit between Dominguez Street and A Street has been permanently reduced to 30 mph.
- U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts on U.S. 29 between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, June 14 through Friday, June 18.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Drivers will encounter lane closures and shifts between I-10 and Surrey Drive between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the week of Monday, June 14 as crews pave and repair the asphalt.
- In addition, the new traffic signal on Nine Mile Road at I-10 will be placed in a flash mode at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 15. Drivers exiting I-10 eastbound to Nine Mile Road eastbound will encounter a flashing red light telling them to stop, then proceed once traffic is clear. East and westbound Nine Mile Road traffic will encounter a yellow flashing signal meaning slow down and proceed through the intersection with caution. Tuesday, June 22 around 10 a.m. the traffic signal will become fully operational. The new signal is mounted horizontally on mast arms. Motorists with color weakness problems will need to remember red is on the left and green on the right.
- S.R. 292 (Sorrento Road) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)– Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 13 through Thursday, June 17 as crews restripe and install temporary asphalt in preparation for construction of low-profile barrier wall.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - The Pensacola Bay Bridge has reopened. Drivers will encounter nighttime lane restrictions on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, June 11 through Thursday, June 17 as crews work to restore four travel lanes for the length of the bridge.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures 8 p.m. Sunday, June 13 to 6 a.m. Monday, June 14 as crews perform paving operations.