In a stunning vote Tuesday, the Senate rejected on a tie vote a controversial bill that would have given parents the ability to register their wishes with a district that’s choosing how to turn around failing schools.
Schools
Flagler Schools Gets $5.3 Million in New State Dollars and Still Ends Up in the Hole
The Flagler school district is looking at next fall’s budget from a $1.4 million deficit despite a substantial increase in state dollars, because the state’s new revenue is attached with so many strings as to strangle the school district. Meanwhile, board members are looking to convince voters that a new property tax is necessary for needs beyond that deficit.
Lawmakers Seal $74 Billion Budget Deal, With Merit Teacher Pay and Medicaid Patch
Under the deal on teacher pay raises, one of Gov. Rick Scott’s top two priorities, teachers rated as “effective” would receive a raise of at least $2,500, while those rated “highly effective” would get $3,500. The raises wouldn’t be paid out, though, until June 2014.
School District Missed and Ignored Long List of Serious Problems With Youth Center Employee
Flagler County Youth Center Assistant Director Shannon Diamond’s arrest Sunday on charges related to drunkenly behavior were the latest in a series of criminal and other issues, including some in the district, that Diamond has faced over the years, and that the district either ignored or found of no consequence.
Flagler School District Celebrates Silver Medals for Matanzas and FPC in U.S. News Rankings
Matanzas High School ranked 72nd in Florida, out of 777 schools. Matanzas was 1,523rd in the nation, out of 21,000 schools. Flagler Palm Coast High School ranked 87th in the state, and 2,242nd in the nation.
Flagler School District Hones Its Sales Pitch for New Tax Ahead of June 7 Referendum
The Flagler school district is campaigning for the June 7 referendum on a new property tax for schools with a “You Decide” approach that emphasizes restoring time to the school day and reinforcing school security in spite of cuts in state funding.
Flagler Youth Center’s Shannon Diamond Is Again Arrested on Drunk Charges
Shannon Diamond was arrested on a DUI charge last year but kept his employment, supervising students. He was arrested at McCharacter’s Sunday after allegedly refusing to pay his bill and trying to flee. He is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Merit Pay Only as Lawmakers Knock Out $2,500 Across-the-Board Raise for Teachers
While granting Gov. Rick Scott $480 million he requested for education, lawmakers rejected a $2,500 across-the-board pay for teachers, tying any raises to merit pay only. The methodology for such increases has itself been controversial.
NAACP’s 2nd Annual Olympics of the Mind Dazzle and Dare on Matanzas Stage
The Flagler County NAACP’s annual ACT-SO Olympics of the Mind at Matanzas High’s Pirates Theater Saturday brought out dozens of student performers in music, dance, oratory, song and in the visual arts, humanities and science, with winners potentially qualifying for the national competition in Orlando in July.
Jackson Pollock in Bunnell: City Hydrates Its Centennial With Art
As part of the Bunnell Centennial celebration, the city turned over some 35 fire hydrants to be turned into art works by organizations and individuals, leading up to Saturday’s city clean-up and judging of the hydrants. The result is a treat to the eyes.