DeSantis Pursues New School Voucher Program
February 16, 2019
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday he wants to create a new “equal opportunity” voucher program to eliminate a waiting list of about 14,000 low-income students seeking to use state-backed scholarships to attend private schools.
The governor is asking lawmakers to create a “supplement” to the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, the state’s largest voucher-type program, which serves nearly 100,000 students but has about 14,000 others stuck on a waiting list.
“Let’s build on the success … and bring this to another level,” DeSantis said at an appearance in Orlando as he outlined the proposed Equal Opportunity Scholarship program.
In control of the governor’s mansion and the Legislature for the past two decades, Republicans have consistently sought to expand taxpayer-funded school choice programs. Former Gov. Jeb Bush, who is a national school-choice leader, was quick Friday to praise DeSantis’ decision to “empower students.”
“I applaud the governor’s leadership and look forward to the future where every hard-working family has the ability to choose a school that works best for their children,” Bush said in a statement.
But critics of having another voucher program in Florida slammed the governor’s decision.
“Let us be clear. Vouchers do not create choice for parents, but rather choice for private schools — they can reject students based on economic status, academic achievement, disabilities, English proficiency, immigration status, sexual orientation or even gender,” said Fedrick C. Ingram, president of the Florida Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union.
Since being sworn into office last month, DeSantis has taken steps that have drawn praise from Democrats, such as proposing a boost in environmental spending and seeking to lift a ban on smoking medical marijuana.
The voucher program announcement means the “honeymoon is over,” said Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Terrie Rizzo.
“It’s clear that Ron DeSantis intends to govern just as the Republican Party of Florida has governed for decades, by selling out Florida families and children to corporate special interests,” Rizzo said in a statement.
DeSantis told reporters on Friday he was aware of voucher backlash, but he praised the educations provided to low-income and minority students through the programs.
“Some people think we should not have the program, but my thing is, look at the results,” DeSantis said. He pointed to statistics that 70 percent of the students served by the Tax Credit Scholarship Program are Hispanic or black.
DeSantis’ proposal will need approval from the Republican-dominated Legislature during the session that starts March 5.
“We’ll be able to wake up in May and say, ‘Wow, we’re taking big, bold action here in Florida on behalf of our school kids,’ ” he said.
The new program in its first year would make scholarships available to about 14,000 students — roughly the same number on the Tax Credit Scholarship waiting list — and then increase by 1 percent of statewide public-school enrollment each year after that, according to information from DeSantis’ office.
Money for the program would come out of the state’s main public-education funding program. That could spur a legal challenge, as a Bush-backed voucher program was struck down as unconstitutional in 2006 by the Florida Supreme Court.
The Tax Credit Scholarship Program is structured differently, with state tax dollars not going directly to the program. Instead, companies can receive tax credits for contributing money to non-profit organizations that, in turn, fund the scholarships.
DeSantis said he wants the new program to provide vouchers that would be similar in amount to the Tax Credit Scholarship Program.
“But it will provide more resources for families to pick the type of education that makes sense for their children,” he said.
In making the announcement at Calvary City Academy in Orlando, DeSantis was joined onstage by parents who support the scholarship programs.
Shereka Wright, a single mother of two boys, said her children were bullied and not doing well in school before going to a private school.
“I chose private school because Simon and Jayden were struggling so much in their public school last year. They were getting Ds and Fs,” Wright said.
Living paycheck to paycheck, Wright said she applied for a tax credit scholarship but was put on the waiting list. She is making tuition payments to have her kids attend a religious private school but said, “I don’t have the money to keep up with the tuition and the school’s patience can’t last forever.”
“There isn’t enough funding for all the families in Florida who need these scholarships,” Wright said.
by Ann Ceballos, The News Service of Florida
Ernest Ward Students Place In Regional Science Fair
February 16, 2019
Two Ernest Ward Middle School students placed in the 2019 West Panhandle Regional Science and Engineering Fair at the University of West Florida.
They were:
Kelsey Boykin- Chemistry
1st place Overall Junior Division
Dr. B.H. Daughdrill, Special Award ($50 cash and certificate)
Dr. John P. Riehm Memorial Special Award, ($50 cash and certificate)
Society for Science & the Public-Broadcom Foundation Special Award (Certificate, letter of invite to register for 2019 Broadcom Masters national competition, t-shirt)
State Fair Finalists – representing EWMS at Lakeland FL. , March 26-March 29
Boykin’s project “Rainbow of pHacts” compared the pH level of beverages such as cola, milk and apple jucice to determine which was the lowest (most acidic).
Judson Lee – Engineering and Material Sciences
3rd place overal, Junior Division
Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, Special Award ($25 gift card & Certificate)
REMG Aviation, Special Award, ($25 gift card & Certificate)
Lee’s project “Which Shape of Parachute is the Best?”. He hypothesized that a rectangular parachute would descend slower than other shapes. He discovered that a round parachute actually had the slowest descent velocity.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Search Underway For Missing Endangered Teen
February 15, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing endangered juvenile.
Destiny Nicole Meister, 16, was last seen February 12 at her home on the 1100 block of Conference Road off Old Chemstrand Road. She was last seen wearing a yellow shirt with the words “O-Bay”, black jeans, yellow Vans tennis shoes and carrying a black backpack.
Deputies believe she could now be in the area of Mary Ester.
If you have any information on her whereabouts, call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Cantonment Man Charged With Attack On Mother Of His Child
February 15, 2019
A Cantonment man was arrested after allegedly beating the mother of his child.
Austin James McCastler, 29, was charge with felony aggravated battery causing bodily harm and violation of probation. He remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The victim told deputies that McCastler beat her with a closed fist, slapped her and knocked her to the ground, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report. The victim suffered a laceration to her nose, bruising and a busted lip. She refused medical treatment.
No children were present at the time of the incident.
The report indicated deputies were unable to get a statement from McCastler.
Flashback Friday: It’s Been Three Years Since Century’s EF-3 Tornado
February 15, 2019
Friday marked the third anniversary of an EF-3 tornado that ripped through Century.
The tornado first touched down southwest of Lambert Bridge Road southwest of McDavid at 3:32 p.m. on February 15, 2016. The first EF-2 intensity damage was on Holland Road where a workshop was destroyed. As it moved into Century, the tornado reach peak intensity with widespread EF-2 damage with isolated EF-3 level damage that destroyed numerous homes and businesses, according to the National Weather Service.
The tornado continued to track across the state line into Alabama with EF-2 damage on Old Fannie Road east of Flomaton. The tornado continued toward Pollard, AL, where it weakened and lifted at 3:55 p.m.
The EF-3 tornado was on the ground 16.5 miles with a path up to 300 yards wide.
For a photo gallery from February 15, 2015, click here.
For a photo gallery featuring the Century UMC, click here.
For an additional damage photo gallery, click here.
For a photo gallery from Gov. Rick Scott’s visit to Century, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Lady Royals Beat Franklin County; One Win Away From Final Four
February 15, 2019
The Jay Royals beat Franklin County 53-37 Thursday night. It was the first playoff win in 23 years for the Lady Royals, and their 24th win in the last 25 games.
Jay was led by Madison Mathis with 20 points.
The Lady Royals are one away from a trip to the 1A Final Four in Lakeland. Jay will travel to Port St. Joe for the Region 1A finals.
Photos: Jim Allen Elementary Holds Valentine’s Day Heart Run
February 15, 2019
Jim Allen Elementary School held their annual Heart Run on Valentine’s Day Thursday.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia, Santa Rosa K-9 Deputies Place In Regional Event
February 15, 2019
Several K-9 deputies from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties placed in the 2019 USPCA Region 1 Field Trials in Lakeland.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
- 5th place Overall Top Dog – Wayne Gulsby and K-9 Enzo
- 2nd place Search – Wayne Gulsby and K-9 Enzo
- 1st place Two-man Dept Patrol team – Wayne Gulsby and K-9 Enzo & Tommy Nyughn (Tarpon Springs, FL)
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office
- 1st place Agility- Dep. Shawn Swindell and K-9 Ziggy
- 2nd place Obedience- Dep.Shawn Swindell and K-9 Ziggy
- 3rd place Two-man Dept Patrol team- Dep. Jason Land and K-9 Ode & Dep. Shawn Swindell and K-9 Ziggy
- 11th overall Patrol Dog – Dep. Danny Miller and K-9 Orkon
- 5th place Agility – Dep. Danny Miller and K-9 Orkon
- 2nd place two-man interdepartmental team – Dep .Danny Miller and K- 9 Orkon & Officer Travis White (Gulf Breeze Police Dept.) and K-9 Loki.
Pictured top: Santa Rosa County K-9 Deputy Jason Land (left) and Escambia County K-9 Deputy Wayne Gulsby at the 2019 USPCA Region 1 Field Trials in Lakeland. Photos by Mary Land and Abbie Gulsby for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle Extends Shoe Drive To Help Train Service Dogs For Veterans
February 15, 2019
Ransom Middle School has extended the deadline for their shoe drive benefiting Healing Paws for Warriors to rescue shelter dogs and train them to become service dogs for veterans.
Since NorthEscambia.com first told you about the shoe drive last week, the 35 students that started Kicks for a Cause have surpassed 200 pairs collected so far, over twice their original goal.
“We’re just trying to get as many shoes as possible,” explained Chris Briske, eighth grade student at Ransom. Briske and his classmates are shocked at the amount of support they have received.
“It’s awesome that people in the community are helping out,” said seventh grader Synoma Perea. “Just today, our custodian brought three huge boxes of new shoes from a shoe store. I thought that was awesome that people in the community are helping out.”
Kicks for a Cause is a shoe drive created by librarian Crystal Roberts and her student book club members for Acts of Kindness Week. Healing Paws will receive $10 for every 25 pairs of donated shoes, helping the organization with the $5,000 cost to train a service dog.
The donated shoes will also be used to help needy people in 24 Third World countries.
Collection bins are located in the Ransom Middle School front office and library through February 19.
Spring Ball Registration Extended At Cantonment, Continues In Century
February 15, 2019
Spring ball registration has been extended through Saturday at the for the Cantonment Youth Sports Association, and registration will continue through March 2 in Century.
Cantonment Ballpark
Registration at the Cantonment Ballpark been extended for T-ball, softball and baseball for all ages. Registration will be at the ballpark from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 16. . Registration is $80 and includes the team uniform jersey. For more information, email cantonmentsports@gmail.com. First practice will be Tuesday, February 19, and Opening Day is set for Saturday, March 30.
Century Little League
Century Little League registration for 2019 is continuing. The cost is $70 for the first child, $65 each additional through March 2.
Register online here, or in person registration will be held February 16 and March 2 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Showalter Park press box.
All fees are due at the time of registration. Credit and debit cards are accepted online. In person registration is cash or check only.
Note: Registration has closed from Northwest Escambia and Molino.