Florida Superintendents Say Money May Not Cover Resource Officers
March 28, 2018
A new report from Florida’s school superintendents warns that despite a nearly $100 million increase in funding, there may not be enough money to post an armed school resource officer at each school in the state.
In reacting to the shooting deaths of 17 students and staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, the Legislature passed a new budget and related bills that boosted funding for resource officers by $97.5 million to $162 million in the upcoming academic year.
But a report from the Florida Association of District School Superintendents said school districts might not be able to meet the goal of posting at least one safety officer at each of Florida’s more than 3,500 elementary, middle and high schools. The report was part of a State Board of Education agenda for a meeting Tuesday in LaBelle but was not discussed.
“We appreciate the legislative appropriations, but many districts will have difficulty meeting the requirement to establish or assign one (or) more safe-school officers at each school facility,” the report said.
The superintendents also said a lack of funding for law-enforcement officers may put pressure on districts to use the “Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program,” which would allow school employees, including some teachers, to bring guns to school if they are specially trained and deputized by sheriffs.
But noting the opposition to the guardian program in many districts and communities, the superintendents said much of the $67 million for that initiative may go unspent. They asked the Board of Education for support in shifting some of those funds to the school resource officer program.
“Superintendents request that you support and recommend that these unspent dollars be used in districts for additional school resource officers or other school safety measures,” the report said.
In a recent interview with The News Service of Florida, Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said lawmakers may considering using the Joint Legislative Budget Commission to shift some of the guardian funds into other safety measures if the money goes unspent, although it was too early to make that determination.
The superintendents also raised concerns about a provision in the new school-safety law that will require “active shooter” and “hostage situations” drills in the schools.
“Superintendents support these drills, but they must be accomplished with minimal disruption to teaching and learning and in a manner that does not unnecessarily frighten students, particularly elementary students,” the report said.
The superintendents said they would work with the Department of Education on other school-safety initiatives, including establishing a state Safe Schools Office, developing a school security-risk assessment tool and implementing the guardian program.
The report also offered some recommendations on implementing a new $69 million mental-health services program, which has been a top priority for the school superintendents for some time.
But the report warned that some school districts could face budget cuts in the coming year because the bulk of increased spending in the new education budget is targeted toward the school safety and mental health issues in the wake of the Broward County shooting.
The superintendents noted that the “base student allocation,” the primary source for general operational activities, only increased by 47 cents per student statewide, a fraction of the overall funding increase of $101.50 per student.
“With only a 47-cent increase in the BSA, superintendents will be forced to cut their budgets — cuts that will impact students, schools and communities that are served,” the report said.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Pine Forest Shuts Out Northview; Tate Beats Miami Beach
March 28, 2018
Tate 2, Miami Beach 1
The Tate Aggies beat Miami Beach High School 2-1 Tuesday.
Cole Fryman earned the victory on the pitcher’s mound for the Aggies. He allowed just one run on four hits, walking one and striking out one.
For Tate: Blake Anderson 1-2; Ryan Green 1-3, R; Reid Halfacre 1-3, RBI; Trent Jeffcoat 1-2; Raymond Lafleur 1-3; Hunter Riggan 1-2, R; Jesse Sherill 1-3, R.
Pine Forest 11, Northview 0
The Pine Forest Eagles defeated the Northview Chiefs Tuesday afternoon at Pine Forest.
After a scoreless first inning, the 6A Eagles exploded with nine runs and sealed the win in just three innings with two runs in the bottom of the third to invoke the 10-run rule.
Singleton took the loss for the 1A Chiefs surrendering 11 runs on 12 hits while striking out two. Nolan Rigby earned the win for Pine Forest with no run, three hits and striking out two.
For Northview: Seth Killam 1-3; Trevor Singleton 1-3; John Chivington 1-3; Jason Fischer 1-2.
For Pine Forest: John Pinette 1-4, R; Kyler Hultgren 1-2, 2R; Jason Roberts 3-3, R, 2RBI; Nolan Rigby 2-3, 2R, RBI; Garrett Holmes 1-3, R, RBI; Timmy Williams 3-3, 2R, RBI; Christian Munoz 1-2, RBI; Wyatt Gill 1-3, R, RBI; Ladarius Clardy 1-3, R, RBI.
Pine Forest will host South Warren of Bowling Green, KY, on April 2 at 7 p.m. The Chiefs will travel to Jay on April 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Florida Seeks Changes In Medicaid Program
March 28, 2018
For the third time in less than a year, Florida is asking the federal government to amend a sweeping Medicaid “waiver,” including seeking permission to add community mental-health providers to the list of those able to participate in a supplemental Medicaid funding program.
“We think this is a great thing to do,” said Melanie Brown-Woofter, interim president and CEO of the Florida Council for Community Mental Health. She noted that, if approved, the change could result in a projected $15.7 million increase in funding for community receiving facilities that treat patients for mental-health and substance-abuse disorders, including opioid addictions.
But under federal law, the state can’t submit proposed amendments without first allowing the public to comment. To that end, state Agency for Health Care Administration officials are holding a meeting at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the agency’s Tampa office.
Along with the change dealing with funding for mental-health providers, the state also wants permission to trim from 90 to 30 the number of days that Medicaid will retroactively cover beneficiaries’ health-care bills before they become eligible for Medicaid. Florida wants that change — which would only impact non-pregnant women 21 and older — to become effective July 1. If approved, the state would save about $38 million in general-revenue dollars and $98.4 million in combined state and federal funds.
Florida also is seeking to modify an existing policy on hospital ownership to recognize health-care facilities with regional perinatal care centers to tap into supplemental funds. The change would benefit Bayfront Health in St. Petersburg.
The supplemental funding issues deal with the Low Income Pool program, which provides additional funds to hospitals that serve large numbers of poor and uninsured patients. The program is comprised of funds from Florida and the federal government. But Florida doesn’t use state tax dollars for its required match. Instead, the state calls on local governments and local health-care taxing districts to provide “intergovernmental transfers” to fund the program.
Florida lawmakers agreed to direct $19.8 million in the coming year toward community central receiving systems, with a requirement of 50 percent local match, or about $10 million, Brown-Woofter told the News Service of Florida.
If the federal government approves the proposed changes, she said, the $10 million in local match could draw down another $15.7 million in so-called LIP funding. Brown-Woofter said the increased funding could either be used to enhance treatment services or to increase the number of community central receiving systems in the state.
Rules surrounding LIP funding have changed in recent years, making it less lucrative for hospitals to participate, and the state hasn’t been able to collect enough local match money to fully fund the program.
The Trump administration last year authorized a $1.5 billion LIP program when it approved what is known as Florida’s Medicaid “1115 waiver,” but the state only collected enough money from counties for a $730.6 million program this year.
Brown-Woofter said she spoke with hospital groups before lobbying the Legislature about community receiving facilities being made eligible for LIP money.
“They said go for it,” Brown-Woofter told the News Service.
The Trump Administration in August 2017 extended the waiver through June 30, 2022. The waiver allows the state to run its mandatory Medicaid managed-care program, as well as the Low Income Pool.
Before the final waiver was approved, the Agency or Health Care Administration had already submitted an amendment requesting it be altered to require people with cystic fibrosis and brain and spinal cord injuries to enroll in the Medicaid managed care program. A second amendment was submitted in September to require people with AIDS to enroll in the mandatory managed-care program.
Prior to the waiver, the state cared for those people through smaller Medicaid waiver programs.
In addition to the Tampa meeting, state Medicaid officials will hold a meeting April 3 in Tallahassee. Moreover, the state has been soliciting public input on the proposed changes since March 21.
As of Tuesday, AHCA spokeswoman Shelisha Coleman said the state had received 45 comments from the public regarding the proposed changes.
by Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida
Man Charged With Theft Of $30K Bobcat From Molino Business
March 27, 2018
A Molino man has been arrested for allegedly stealing a Bobcat loader from a Molino feed store during the long New Year’s weekend.
Rex Burton Hassell, 57, was charged with burglary of an unoccupied structure, felony larceny and criminal mischief with property damage.
According to an arrest report, Hassell broke into H&H Feed on Highway 97 sometime between December 30 and January 3 and stole a Bobcat T300 skid steer worth $30,000 from inside a locked warehouse. The business owners reported that their power meter was removed from the service box during the early morning hours of December 30.
On January 22, the Bobcat was located less than 5 miles away near a pond in a wooded area off Brickyard Road in Molino. It been wrapped in a tarp and covered with vegetation.
Pictured: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigates after a stolen Bobcat was recovered in a wooded area in Molino on January 22. Pictured inset and first photo below: The Bobcat was concealed with a tarp and vegetation. The Bobcat is hidden in the left of the photo below. Pictured bottom photos: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigated the theft on January 3. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Budget Bill Puts Gulf Coast Amtrak Service Back On Track
March 27, 2018
The $1.3 trillion omnibus bill signed by President Donald Trump provides big wins and great opportunities for the Southern Rail Commission (SRC) and for the return of Amtrak service on the Gulf Coast, including Pensacola and Atmore.
The bill provides significant increases in funding for passenger rail capital and operating programs, and includes report language that is supportive of the ongoing work to support passenger rail projects across the southern coast, the SRC said Monday.
“The Southern Rail Commission is grateful to Senator Thad Cochran, Appropriations Committee Chair and Senator Roger Wicker of the Commerce Committee – as well as the Congressional delegations from Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi – for the commitment to the restoration of passenger rail service across America’s Gulf Coast. These programs can provide the resources that will get passenger rail up and going,” said SRC Mississippi Commissioner, Vice Chairman Knox Ross.
The final bill represents the largest single year increase for the full Amtrak budget as well as the national system. There is $35,547,000 set aside to restore lost passenger rail service such as the Gulf Coast route.
Amtrak service between New Orleans and Orlando was suspended in 2005 due to significant damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
Work is underway in collaboration with the Federal Rail Administration (FRA), the states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf Coast Congressional leadership, CSX, Amtrak and the SRC to identify needs and specific funding for phasing capital construction and operations for the restored passenger rail service. Some of this funding could be acquired through the newly appropriated federal rail programs. The SRC has also received significant interest and initial commitments from private sector partners across the Gulf Coast interested in contributing to the rail project.
Also, the SRC and FRA are currently providing $1.33M in grant funds to communities in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama for station area planning and rail safety improvements. These communities have contributed their own cash match, resulting in more than $2.6M in projects underway in preparation for service restoration.
Pictured: An Amtrak inspection train rolls in Atmore (top and bottom) and Pensacola (inset) in February 2016. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Customers To See Rate Reduction
March 27, 2018
Monday, Gulf Power received unanimous approval from the Florida Public Service Commission to pass along approximately $103 million in tax savings to its 460,000 customers. With the approval, the average residential Gulf Power customer using 1,112 kilowatt-hours per month can expect to see a $14 drop on their monthly energy bill for 2018 — the largest decrease in company history. More than $30 million in savings for customers will continue into 2019 and beyond.
“We’re thankful to gain approval from the Commission today so we can now quickly pass these savings on to our customers,” said Stan Connally, Gulf Power chairman, president and CEO. “Gulf Power customers will benefit from this tax reduction in the form of lower energy prices beginning in their April bills.”
“It’s exciting,” said Art Graham, chairman of the Florida Public Service Commission, which approved the plan Monday. “It’s definitely exciting to see the immediate impact of this kind of stuff.”
The tax savings are the result of federal tax reductions under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was signed into law on Dec. 22, 2017, and became effective on Jan. 1, 2018. The decrease in the Corporate Tax Rate from 35 percent to 21 percent reduces the amount of federal income tax Gulf Power will have to pay and allows the energy provider to pass that savings along to customers.
While the average residential Gulf Power customer who uses 1,112 kilowatt-hours per month will see a $14 drop on their bills, customers who use more energy will see a larger decrease and those who use less, a smaller decrease.
Gulf Power worked together with the Office of Public Counsel, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy to reach a settlement on how to deliver these savings to customers as soon as possible.
“We think it’s a fair deal, and we think it’s in the public interest,” said Jon Moyle, an attorney for the group commonly known as FIPUG.
The decrease comes on the heels of record consumption by Gulf Power customers during an unusually cold January.
Application Period Open For Century Town Clerk Position
March 27, 2018
The application period for the Century town clerk job is now open.
“The town clerk is the official custodian of all official town records; responsible for the retention and overall management of records in accordance with Florida law. the town clerk records the minutes and actions of the town council and manages all aspects of town elections. work is performed in coordination with the mayor and town council,” according to the job description.
The application period closes April 8. Applications area available at Century Town Hall or can be downloaded by clicking here..
Leslie Howington resigned the town clerk job March 9 after seven and a half years.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Scott Signs Nursing Home Generator Requirements
March 27, 2018
More than six months after residents of a Broward County nursing home died following Hurricane Irma, Gov. Rick Scott on Monday signed two bills that nail down requirements for nursing homes and assisted-living facilities to have backup generators and fuel supplies.
The bills passed this month by the Legislature, ratified rules issued by the Scott administration. The ratified rules replaced emergency rules issued in September following the deaths of residents of The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills.
Hurricane Irma knocked out the Hollywood nursing home’s air-conditioning system, which led to sweltering conditions.
The emergency rules drew legal challenges, but the more-permanent rules ratified by the Legislature this month were negotiated by the Scott administration and parts of the long-term care industry. The nursing home rule, for example, requires facilities to have alternative power sources, such as generators, that can keep temperatures at 81 degrees for at least 96 hours. Areas cooled would have to at least be the equivalent of 30 square feet per resident.
Also, nursing homes would have to keep 72 hours of fuel on site. Scott signed the bills during an appearance in Lee County.
Pictured. Generator at Century Health & Rehabilitation in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Elementary Names Students Of The Month
March 27, 2018
March students and citizens of the month have been named at Molino Park Elementary. They are: Mady Madril and Makayla Morales, March students of the month; and Chloe Mitchem, and Walker Maughon, March good citizens of the month. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pine Forest Tops Northview; Lakewood Gets Late Win Over Tate
March 27, 2018
Pine Forest 6, Northview 4
The Pine Forest Eagles took advantage of a sixth inning error to take the lead on the way to defeating the Northview Chiefs 6-4 Monday in Bratt.
Seth Killam took the loss for the Chiefs took the loss for the Northview Chiefs. He allowed four runs on three hits over three innings, walking one and striking out three. Jackson Moore started the game for the Chiefs, giving up four runs in four innings and striking out four.
Northview: Seth Killam1-4, 1R 2B; John Chivington 1-4, RBI; Adam Aliff 1-2, 2R; Jason Fischer R; Billy Rolin 1-2, 2B , RBI; Logan English 1-2, RBI 2B; Tanner Levins 1-3.
Pine Forest: Jason Roberts 1-4; Nolan Rigby 1-3, R, 2B; Garret Holmes R; Timmy William 2-1, R; Christian Munoz 2-3, 2R, 2RBI, 2B; Caleb White R; Jesse Oberst 1-3, RBI.
Pine Forest will host Northview on Tuesday at noon.
Lakewood Ranch 7, Tate 6
Lakewood Ranch High School of Bradenton defeated the Tate Aggies 7-6 Monday.
For Tate: Reid Halfacre 2-3; Raymond Lafleur 1-4, RBI; Mason Land 2-3, 3R;, RBI; Hunter McLean 3-4, R, 2RBI, 2B, 3B; Darrien McDowell 1-3; Jesse Sherrill 1-4, 2R.