Federal money comes to Florida schools, for some just in time
Hillsborough County has the nation’s seventh largest school district, and for months it hasn’t had much to cheer about. On Monday, officials called a press conference to share some good news. Read on for that story and more Florida education news.
The state announced it would release lump sum federal stimulus payments to districts. For Hillsborough, that meant avoiding a state financial takeover. But more work remains to get the district back on track.
Leadership issues
Outgoing Broward County superintendent Robert Runcie reached a separation deal with his board. It’s not as generous as he had hoped, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
Polk County’s new superintendent has a contract agreement in hand. He said he’s not looking for special treatment in areas such as salary or insurance, the Ledger reports.
Heading out? A Brevard County assistant superintendent is a finalist for the top job in Denver public schools, Florida Today reports.
The Archdiocese of Miami named a new superintendent for its schools. Jim Rigg previously held a similar post in the Archdiocese of Chicago, Miami’s Community News reports.
A timeline to resign. Manatee County School Board member Scott Hopes said he was making plans to leave the board as the County Commission considers appointing him its permanent county administrator, the Herald-Tribune reports.
Coronavirus concerns
Masks are fading away. The Pasco County school district put out a formal statement that it will go mask optional after May 28. Officials had stated this plan previously. • Lake County schools were the latest to announce a summertime end to mandatory face coverings, the Daily Commercial reports. • A Polk County parent group hired a lawyer to demand an immediate end to their school district’s mask requirement, the Ledger reports.
Vaccinations continue to become more widespread. The FDA approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine for children as young as 12, the Associated Press reports.
Summer school is gaining strength. Orange County schools anticipate enrollment to quadruple from the summer before, WKMG reports.
What a strange four years. Bay County graduating seniors reflected on high school years marked by near constant disruption, the Panama City News Herald reports.
Other school news
Florida lawmakers passed a bill to make it easier to get a voucher. Gov. Ron DeSantis could sign the measure into law as early as today, Florida Politics reports.
Unanticipated costs. The Indian River County school district might have to pay a new city stormwater tax on its Vero Beach properties, TC Palm reports.
A Flagler County assistant principal authorized the use of a ‘spit sock’ on a third grade student. The administrator has been reprimanded for not following the district’s student safety plan, WESH reports.
From the court docket ... A former Hillsborough County teacher convicted of secretly videotaping students in a changing room received a 15-year prison sentence.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Before you go ... The creativity that goes into the Duck Tape prom outfit challenge never ceases to amaze. Plus, there are scholarships! The deadline is June 9.
