With Gov. Rick Scott set to be sworn in for his second term and legislative committee meetings beginning this week, the topics that will dominate discussion in the Capitol in the coming year are shaping up. Here’s a rundown.
Schools
Lawsuit Opposing School Voucher Expansion Is Thrown Out Again, Likely Ending Challenge
A judge rebuffed claims by a teacher and two parents who joined the new lawsuit that the expansion of the Tax Credit Scholarship Program hurt them because it could lead to reduced funding for their schools.
Judge Rules Parents Can Join Lawsuit Over Florida’s School-Voucher Program
Parents and their lawyers said they should be allowed the full-party status because their children would lose access to what is known as the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program if the court finds it unconstitutional.
Student Ronny Ahmed, Paralyzed From Waist Down in FSU Shooting, Is Determined to Graduate
The student who was critically injured in Thursday’s shooting at Florida State University is paralyzed from the waist down, but still determined to realize his dream of becoming a biomedical engineer, his sister told reporters.
FSU Shooter Myron May, an Attorney, Said to Have Been in a “State of Crisis”
Myron May was an FSU student senator in 2002 and had been practicing law since 2009 before he shot and injured students at FSU’s Strozier Library.
Flagler Education Foundation Awards 17 Mini Grants totaling $16,000 to District Teachers
The 17 teachers were selected from 30 applicants based on criteria that included innovation, impact, replication, the number of students involved and project documentation.
Tornado Watch Cancelled for Flagler-Palm Coast, Schools Cancel Outdoor Activities, Games and Practices
A broad band of severe weather is bearing down on Flagler County and Palm Coast, where a severe thunderstorm warning has been issued until 3 p.m., and a tornado watch will remain in effect until 6 p.m.
First Day on the Job for Thrasher at FSU: Facing Confrontational Students
John Thrasher spent the first hour in his new position engaging with a group of about 25 confrontational students that had vocally opposed his recent appointment and now refuse to recognize him as the school’s new president.
Flagler School Board Makes Small Inroad for Some Employees’ Same-Sex Rights, But Other Agencies Dodge the Issue
The Flagler County School Board’s bereavement leave for same-sex couples formally acknowledges such unions, but only for support personnel, while teachers and employees of other government agencies still have no such rights.
UF and FSU Get New Presidents, Flagler Loses Sen. Thrasher, Special Election Next
The Board of Governors unanimously ratified Thrasher’s and Kent Fuchs’s appointments. Thrasher’s resignation is expected to set off a feeding frenzy in a special election for what may turn into a Senate seat and two House seats.