School closure forces tough choices for Tampa families, community
The big story: To make more efficient use of its money and space, the Hillsborough County school district has been making plans to close and consolidate several schools.
Some decisions have yet to be finalized. But for the West Tampa children who have attended Just Elementary School, the change is already on its way.
Amid complaints from the Black community, who said they were excluded in the decision making process, district officials decided to close Just, which had about 82% Black students. Now the affected families are figuring out what to do when the new school year rolls around. Read more here.
Hot topics
Teacher resignations: A veteran Manatee County high school teacher quit her job in frustration with Florida’s new “anti-woke” laws, which she said make it impossible for her to do right by students. “As fast as you hire new staff, the seasoned ones will walk away. This needs to change,” Heather Felton told her school board. “It will take true leadership at the state level and a change in the culture of hate and division that has permeated Florida and this country.”
Superintendents: Terry Connor, the deputy superintendent of Hillsborough County schools, was selected to become Sarasota County’s next superintendent. It was not a unanimous vote, the Herald-Tribune reports. • The Duval County School Board anticipates taking several months to find its new superintendent, WJXT reports. • The Collier County School Board approved a three-year contract for its new superintendent, the Naples Daily News reports. • The Broward County School Board is expected to pick its next superintendent today, WTVJ reports. • Top administrators from Pasco and Polk counties are finalists for the superintendent post of the Richland 2 school district in Columbia, S.C., the Post and Courier reports.
Security: The Collier County school district is setting guidelines for allowing employees to serve as armed guardians in the schools, WTFX reports. • The Osceola County sheriff says his anti-bullying efforts in elementary schools is showing early signs of success, WKMG reports.
Religion in schools: A former Florida congressman who started Hebrew-language charter schools Broward County is talking about creating a Jewish charter school in Oklahoma, The 74 reports. The potential move comes on the heels of Oklahoma approving a virtual Catholic charter school.
Literacy lessons: The Duval County school district will roll out a new phonics-focused program created at the University of Florida for kindergarten through second grade, WJXT reports.
Book challenges: A Palm Beach County rabbi has asked the school district to remove the Bible from school libraries, WPTV reports. “You want to censor books? Start with the one that you like the best,” Rabbi Barry Silver, also a parent in the district.
Board politics: A state investigation found no wrongdoing by an Osceola County School Board member accused of misusing his position to seek funds for his sister’s campaign, WFTV reports.
From the court docket ... The Citrus County School Board will join a national lawsuit against social media companies, the Citrus County Chronicle reports. • A federal judge told plaintiffs in a case alleging state discrimination against Florida A&M University that they need to show more evidence that any alleged discrimination can be traced to segregation, the News Service of Florida reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Before you go ... Who would have thought baby bats could be so cute?
• • •
Sign up for the Gradebook newsletter!
Every Thursday, get the latest updates on what’s happening in Tampa Bay area schools from Times education reporter Jeffrey S. Solochek. Click here to sign up.
