James Tager, who begins as Superintendent June 1, answers questions about his temperament, open government, transgender rights, zero tolerance and other issues.
Schools
The Live Interview
Home Rule: Palm Beach District Challenges Constitutionality of Charter School Law
It’s a first step in asking the Florida Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional a law that allows the State Board of Education to overturn local denials of charter-school applications.
Go Ahead, Gov. Scott, Veto This Bad Education Bill in Good Conscience
Gov. Scott has said he wants to sign only bills that are good for Florida families. This one is not. Its process was particularly dishonest — something even committed conservatives should disown when they look at it up close.
Flagler 3rd Graders’ Reading Scores Jump, And Exceed State Average By 11 Points
The Flagler school district average of 69 percent of students at proficiency or better exceeds the state average of 58 by 11 points as every elementary school showed strong improvement.
School Board Veto Call to Scott: “Legislators Didn’t Follow Basic Tenets We Teach Students in 7th Grade Civics”
The Flagler County School Board complete letter to Gov. Rick Scott asking him to veto an education bill that would “shortchange” Flagler County students. The bill was passed at the last minute with little discussion.
House Bill 7069 Will Change Education in Flagler For Generations, Not For the Better
Flagler County School Board Chairman Trevor Tucker explains his opposition to a massive education bill, focusing on the bill’s preferential treatment of charter schools at the expense of traditional public schools.
Gov. Scott Faces Increasing Pressure to Veto Education Bill, Including From Flagler District
The Flagler County School Board joined its voice to a growing chorus of demands from across the state that Gov. Rick Scott veto a massive education bill opponents consider damaging to school districts.
Daytona State Will Not Increase Tuition in 2017-18, But a Few Fees Will Go Up
Tuition will remain flat even though the Florida Legislature slashed the budgets of public colleges across the state by $30 million in the session just ended. The cuts affected remedial education.
Middle and High School Students Can Rejoice: ID Cards May Be Carried Through Cell Phone
The Flagler School Board is set to approve a rule change in June that would allow students no longer to have to wear their ID badges, and to show them through their cell phone if requested, come the 2017-18 school year.
School Board Awards Superintendent Tager $135,000 Contract Plus Performance Bonuses
James Tager’s full compensation package, before incentives kick in, is $154,200, with $5,000-worth of recurring bonuses if he pushes the district to earn an A and improves its graduation rate.
Critics Urge Gov. Scott to Veto Massive Education Bill as Details of Legislation Emerge
The bill was pushed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, a Land O’ Lakes Republican who sparred with the governor throughout the session over economic-development incentives and tourism marketing.
Lawmakers Approve Budget With Tax Cuts, Severe Cuts to Medicaid, Minor Increase For Education and Big Boost to Charters
The budget package includes a modest increase in per-student spending through the state’s main education formula, $521 million in Medicaid cuts for hospitals and far-reaching changes to education across the board.
It’s James Tager: School Board Picks Volusia District Veteran for Superintendent in Rare Unanimous Vote
The unanimous vote for the Volusia County principal and former deputy superintendent is a rare sign of agreement for a school board that has had difficulties finding common ground in the last months.
James Tager Clear Favorite for Superintendent as Stilted Process Nears Vote Tonight
Flagler County School Board members left little doubt in a 50-minute discussion this morning that Volusia County’s James Tager is by far their first choice. But the process has been starkly constrained.
School Bus Driver Cited For Carelessness in Crash After “Clearly” Violating Right-Of-Way
Wilrick A. Woods, 60, got a $166 citation for careless driving after driving his school bus in the path of an SUV, whose driver suffered severe injuries in a crash Monday.
With Florida as Example, Charlie Crist Files Bill Seeking Seat Belts on School Buses Nationwide
School districts also are concerned about the estimated $7,000 to $10,000 cost of adding seat belts to a new bus, though Florida is already covered: seat belts on school buses is a state law.
Short of Stellar, FPC and Matanzas Earn Bronze and Silver in U.S. News’ High School Rankings
Matanzas came in at 160 in the state and 2,297 in the nation, getting silver, FPC came in at 183 in the state and did not get a national ranking, though its IB program’s achievements were not calculated as in previous years’ rankings.
4 Hurt in Head-On Crash Between SUV and School, Bus at Royal Palms and Rymfire
Four people were hurt including two children in a crash involving a school bus and an SUV at the intersection of Royal Palms Parkway and Rymfire Drive in Palm Coast this morning just before sunup.
Flagler Schools Superintendent Interviews: James Tager
James Tager, the closest thing to a home-grown candidate for the Flagler County School Superintendent job, projected confidence, fluent knowledge of local and state issues and quite a bit of familiarity with Flagler schools.
Flagler Schools Superintendent Interviews: Gerald Wilson
In approach and demeanor, Gerald Wilson echoed Janet Valentine, the superintendent who preceded Jacob Oliva: not much excitability or charisma, but solid knowledge and deference to process.
Flagler Schools Superintendent Interviews: Jeff Umbaugh
Jeff Umbaugh was energetic, congenial, discursive, fast-talking, quick to take verbal tangents or make the occasional humorous aside, but mostly, he spoke in generalities and clichés.
Rocky Superintendent Search Jarred Again as Phyllis Edwards Withdraws Candidacy
With the latest top candidate to drop out, the Flagler County School Board’s search for a new superintendent is turning into a poorly scripted season of Survivor.
2 Teens Face Felonies For Firing BB Gun at Full School Bus and Vehicles on Belle Terre
There were 40 students returning from Bunnell Elementary when the school bus was the target of boys allegedly firing a BB and an air soft gun at the vehicle on Belle Terre Boulevard Wednesday afternoon.
In Unprecedented Flagler Beach Town Hall, Old Kings Elementary Students Become All Stars of Ideas
Mayor Linda Provencher’s Kids Town Hall drew a standing-room-only crowd, almost the entire city commission and the city’s top staff for a lively hour of ideas and suggestions from Old Kings Elementary students.
As One More Name Drops Out, Board Settles On 4 Candidates For Superintendent Interviews
James Tager, the principal at Atlantic High School in Volusia County, is the front-runner, getting all five board members’ nod, in an otherwise more fractured field as yet another top candidate dropped out.
Eyes on International Prizes, Flagler’s Problem Solvers Launch Flocking Fund-Raising Season
Two mayors, two county commissioners and a school board member gathered Monday for the launch of Flagler Schools’ Future Problem Solvers’ fund-raising season to help send 51 students to international competition in Wisconsin in June.
Florida Senate Wants 81% Increase in Aid for Poorer College Students, and Boost For 1st-Gen
Florida student assistance grants would grow by $121 million. Senators also want to double the state’s matching grants for “first generation” college and university students to a total of $10.6 million.
Daytona State College’s Center for Women and Men Kicks Off 41st Year and Fund-Raiser Challenge
For decades the center’s focus was on helping displaced homemakers with little-to-no work experience, women who because of divorce, widowhood or other circumstances would come to learn new life skills, gain self-confidence and train for employment.
Florida Colleges Decry Legislature’s Budget Cuts of Up to $85 Million
The Senate budget includes a $55 million reduction in remedial education funding and suspends $30 million in performance funding for the colleges. The House cuts similar amounts to other programs.
Matanzas Students Win Pledge for More Street Lights and Sidewalks From Palm Coast Council
Students who formed the Matanzas School Safety Committee in the wake of recent fellow-students killed by cars on dark Palm Coast streets submitted research and suggestions to the city council Tuesday evening.
Even Withdrawn, Orndorff’s Name Pervades Superintendent Search, and Accents Divide
A divide between those favoring internal candidates over those favoring the broader search continues to inform the Flagler County School Board’s superintendent hiring process even after the only internal candidate withdrew his name.
The Legislature’s Mullahs Threaten
Religious Freedom in Florida Schools
The Florida Legislature is about to approve a bill that would give religion preferential treatment in public schools, destroying a balance between secular rights and already inviolate personal expression.
In Superintendent Search, Five Accomplished Candidates From Near and Far Make Shortlist
The shortlist, drawn up Tuesday evening, includes a Palm Coast resident with a long history in Flagler schools, a Volusia County principal, a Clay County administrator and two candidates from Kentucky.
Flagler Schools Lose the Only Internal Applicant for Top Job as Vernon Orndorff Takes Post in Texas
Orndorff has been one of the quieter, unassuming forces of the school district, had been a leading candidate to be superintendent. His departure creates more of a wild-card opening for the remaining three dozen or so applicants.
Two Students Involved In Exaggerated Gun Threat at Buddy Taylor Middle School
Texts alleging a gun threat at Buddy Taylor but that are apparently a month old have resurfaced in the past 24 hours, causing concern at school and the apprehension of at least one student.
Superintendent’s Job Draws Just 41 Applicants, And A Few Stand-Outs After All
The district’s Vernon Orndorff is the only local applicant. He faces definite competition from Phyllis Edwards, a former assistant superintendent in Flagler, and Todd Sprager, the principal at Spruce Creek High School in Volusia.
Stetson University Hosting Immigration Forum on April 1
In light of many recent convulsions in immigration law, Stetson University is hosting an open forum discussion with St. Petersburg immigration attorney Arturo R. Rios on recent changes in immigration actions and law.
“Insulted” By Chairman Tucker’s Grip On Information Flow, School Board’s Conklin Calls For Rethink Of Rules
Flagler School Board member Colleen Conklin wanted the board and staff to review a state report. Trevor Tucker objected, absent a majority of the board agreeing. That caused an unusual clash and rethink of etiquette on the board.
Missing: Elizabeth Higgins, 16, Also Known as Rhiannon Higgins, Has History of Running Away
Higgins is 16, white, about 5’2”, and weighing 135 pounds. She was last seen possibly wearing a green hoodie and blue jeans. Her direction of travel is unknown.
Legislating Free Speech on Florida’s College Campuses? Not So Fast.
A Legislative committee pondered on proposed legislation called the Campus Free Speech Act. Stanley Kurtz, a conservative academic, told lawmakers the measure would defend the right for people to speak their minds at the state’s universities.
At Belle Terre Elementary, 60 Readers Get In Black History Groove With Ellington, Tar Beach and Even Cops
Belle Terre Principal Terence Culver wanted to atone for ignoring Black History Month for five years by hosting a read-in featuring community leaders including the sheriff, many cops and firefighters, school board members, the Palm Coast mayor and many more.
NASCAR Exec Lorene King is To Be DSC’s New Fundraising Chief
Among her activities at NASCAR, King built an internal executive coalition for the foundation’s largest fundraising event, exceeding a $1 million revenue goal by 67 percent.
Survey Gives You Chance To Tell Flagler School Board What You Want In Next Superintendent
As part of its search to replace Superintendent Jacob Oliva, the board is making an electronic survey available to residents, including school employees and students, and seeking as much participation as possible.
Lawmakers File Bill to Limits Testing Time in Schools and Speed Up Turnaround on Scores
The proposal would require the state’s language arts and math tests to be administered in the last three weeks of a school year, with the exception of the 3rd-grade reading exam.
Woody’s Joe Rizzo Named Director of Flagler Education Foundation, Replacing Williams
Joe Rizzo, a Flagler native and part-owner of several local restaurants, will diminish his role there to take up the full-time job at the foundation, on whose board he’s served for eight years, one of them as president.
School Board Adopts Hasty Plan to Hire Next Superintendent in Broad Search By May 2
The Flagler School Board Friday approved a want-ad and using the Florida School Board Association to lead the search, marginalizing what influence a local advisory committee may have and replicating the speedy process adopted three years ago.
Florida Senate Moves to Replace Tuition Billing By Credit Hour With Controversial Flat-Fee Plan
The dilemma: how to move to a block-tuition system without financially penalizing students while at the same time providing incentives for them to take enough courses per semester to graduate in four years.
Divided School Board Blocks Internal Hire of Next Superintendent, Opting for Fast Search
In a 3-2 split, Flagler School Board members opted against cutting short the search for Superintendent Jacob Oliva with an immediate, internal hire despite the risks of an expedited, broader search to fill the position by June 1.
To the Tune of Harpsichord, Indian Trails’ Sarah Flannery Is Flagler’s Spelling Bee Champion
Sarah Flannery will represent Flagler County in the 73rd Annual Regional Spelling Bee hosted by the Florida Times-Union. It will be held in Jacksonville next month.
Public Schools Dealt Blows in Pair of Court Decisions Favoring Vouchers and Charters
One court decision upholds corporate tax vouchers for private schools, another diminishes the role of local school boards in deciding what charter schools may operate.