As school employees prepared to demonstrate against massive state budget cuts on Tuesday, the Flagler School Board got closer to proposing cuts of its own that would eliminate classes and up to four dozen teachers.
Schools
FPC’s Mockingbird Director Quits Abruptly, Walking Out on 6 Classes and 2 More Shows
Ed Koczergo, a drama teacher at FPC for the past three years, said he wasn’t going to let the administration “suck a couple more months out of me and then not hire me back.” He leaves 150 students in six classes and two scheduled plays in a lurch.
Florida Constitution, Article IX: Education
The Florida Constitution, Article IX: Education.
School Board Reminds County and Cities of Its Own 1/2 Penny Sales Tax Renewal Ahead
The county is angling for a new half-penny sales tax for economic development. That tax could hurt the school district’s renewal of its own half-penny tax, in effect since 2002.
Unresolved: Who’s To Arbitrate Daring Artistic Expression–Principals or the School Board?
The triumph of “Mockingbird” is past. The Flagler County School Board’s confusion over how to prevent another controversy without chilling artistic expression isn’t, as a pair of proposed policy changes indicate.
Why To Kill a Mockingbird Is a Triumph for Flagler, And Especially for FPC’s Drama Club
They endured, they persevered, and now they’re finally in their element, on stage. You won;t be disappointed by the FPC student production of To Kill a Mockingbird at the Flagler Auditorium.
As Politicians Mull School Cuts, FPC Lights 10 Candles to Excellence: The IB Class of 2012
While Tallahassee and the local school district prepare to cut school budgets, FPC students lit 10 candles in a ceremony Wednesday symbolizing the very best that local education offers, and produces, in Flagler County.
Severe, $3.5 Million in School Cuts on the Way: 40 Teachers, Shorter Days, Shorter Calendar
The Flagler County School Board agreed to the cuts today, the result of federal stimulus aid running out and Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed cuts to the education budget. Many of the cuts must be negotiated with the unions.
Scout’s Up: Mockingbird‘s Real Stars Take the Auditorium Stage Thursday for 3-Day Run
The controversies over, cast members of the Flagler Palm Coast High School Drama Club production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” talk about their roles in the show at the Flagler Auditorium Feb. 24-26.
A First for Matanzas High School: Rebecca Wight a National Merit Finalist
Matanzas High School senior Rebecca Wight is one of 15,000 finalists across the United States, a little more than half of whom will be selected for an award in march.
More Charter Schools, Less District Oversight: Where Rick Scott and Jeb Bush Merge
Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Jeb Bush’s education foundation are teaming up for a concerted push to open more charter schools while reducing or eliminating local school district approval and oversight, among other plans under the school “choice” umbrella.
FPC’s Delegates Win 2nd Place and Score Hat Trick at Tallahassee Model UN
FPC’s Model United Nations team took on the world and brought home a batch of awards at a conference hosted at the State Capitol Feb. 11. Kyle Russell live-blogged the entire day.
SB6 Redux: Teacher Merit Pay Bill Advances, But With None of Last Year’s Opposition
The replay of last year’s battle over Senate Bill 6 has been more subdued, the means by which teachers would be evaluated more vague, giving local school districts more say.
Facing $3.5 Million Deficit, Flagler Schools Eye Shorter Calendar, Bus Routes, Reserves
School Superintendent Janet Valentine says many options are on the table as Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed budget cuts force additional reductions on top of the $7.5 million the district has cut since 2007.
Boys Basketball Playoffs: FPC’s Bulldogs Rally to Beat Mainland, 45-39
Down 11 points well into the 3rd quarter, the Bulldogs rallied behind Tyler Hopkins’s three-point shooting and Michael McDonald to defeat rivals Buccaneers at Mainland in the district quarterfinals Wednesday.
Scott Cutting $3 Billion Out of Education as Per-Pupil Spending Would Drop $300
Some 25,000 teachers’ jobs were saved by the federal stimulus in the past two years. Those jobs are now in jeopardy. Public colleges and universities are also hit hard.
Matanzas High School’s Cheerleaders Take 3rd in State Championship
Matanzas High School’s competitive cheerleading team won third place at the FHSAA’s annual Florida championship. Next up: national competition at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando.
My Journey Out Of Egypt: An FPC Graduate and Cairo Transplant Describes Her Exit
Catherine M., who asked that her last name not be used for security reasons, is the daughter of two prominent Flagler residents–a former sheriff and a commercial real estate broker. She wrote from Dubai.
Stetson Goes Tahrir: Panel Discussion on Egypt’s Future, Thursday (Feb. 10)
In a free event open to the public, Stetson University professor Jamil Khader will moderate a panel discussion titled “The Egyptian Revolution and the Future of American-Arab Relations.”
Decaffeinate This: Imagine’s Ivana Moore Repeats as District Spelling Bee Champion
Eighteen champion spellers from eight Flagler County Schools battled over 48 words at the annual spelling been competition, with Ivana Moore, Sandra Defalco and Olivia Taylor taking first, second and third place.
Bill Delbrugge Live From Egypt:
“This Is Just a Different Type of Hurricane”
In a 40-minute interview from the outskirts of Cairo today, the former school superintendent explained why he’s staying in Egypt, what Egyptians are after and deserve, and what conditions are like.
More Power to Principals, Less Transparency as Board Kills Policy Inspired by Mockingbird
The rejected policy had called for supporting plays “that challenge, nurture and extend student skills” while respecting community sensibilities. Instead, the board retreated to more general “tweaks” of two existing policies.
Local Governments Agree To a Therapist To Cut Through Economic Dysfunction
After a meeting lasting two hours and 17 minutes Monday, local governments conceded they have no agreement on economic development, except to meet again and let a “facilitator” help them find some.
Economic Development Summit: Can Flagler’s 33 Elected Get It Up?
Many plans, little agreement, no concerted action: Monday evening’s economic development summit between Flagler County’s seven local governments is unlikely to yield substantive results beyond a meet-and-greet of powerpoints.
From Biggest Flirt (E. Bartley) to Most Likely to Succeed (Kaci Ellis): FPC’s Oscar Night
FCAT results and teacher of the year awards give way to the real student Oscars at FPC: a complete list of the winners and nominees, and an image gallery of the show.
’03 FPC Grads Brandon Anderson and Jonathan Alter Win Half-Marathon and 5K
Some 346 runners finished the two races, Palm Coast’s first half-marathon, with temperatures around 37 degrees at the start: just right for runners.
FPC Briefly Locked Down After Feared Robbery in Target Shopping Center Lot
Flagler Palm Coast High School was locked down for a few minutes in early afternoon today following false reports of a robbery in the Target shopping center nearby.
Kimberly Turner, 2011 Employee of the Year: Bunnell Elementary
Kimberly Turner, 2011 Employee of the Year: Bunnell Elementary
Kathy Summerlot, 2011 Employee of the Year: Matanzas High School
I feel privileged every day when I drive onto the campus at Matanzas High School. Ten years ago when my family moved to Palm Coast from Atlanta, Georgia, I was not completely sold on Flagler County. However, I quickly began volunteering at both of my sons’ schools and learned to love the area and its […]
Anne Risley, 2011 Employee of the Year: Transportation
Anne Risley, 2011 Employee of the Year: Transportation
Belle Terre’s Agatha Lee and Maggie Carcagente Are the Year’s Top Teacher and Employee
It’s Belle Terre Elementary’s year: Agatha Lee is a second grade teacher there, and Maggie Carcagente is a special education paraprofessional. Their district victory gave Belle Terre a sweep this year.
Darise Anne Pagello, 2011 Employee of the Year: Flagler Palm Coast High School
Darise Anne Pagello, 2011 Employee of the Year: Flagler Palm Coast High School
Shelley Rashelle Martin, 2011 Employee of the Year: Government Service Building
Shelley Rashelle Martin, 2011 Employee of the Year: Government Service Building
Veronica Maggs, 2011 Employee of the Year: Adult Education
Veronica Maggs, 2011 Employee of the Year: Adult Education
Cindy Kyska, 2011 Employee of the Year: Pathways Academy
Cindy Kyska, 2011 Employee of the Year: Pathways Academy
Roberta Kalva, 2011 Employee of the Year: Buddy Taylor Middle School
Roberta Kalva, 2011 Employee of the Year: Buddy Taylor Middle School
Angela Harris, 2011 Employee of the Year: Food Service
Angela Harris, 2011 Employee of the Year: Food Service
Peggi Hammack (Koch), 2011 Employee of the Year: Old Kings Elementary
Peggi Hammack (Koch), 2011 Employee of the Year: Old Kings Elementary
Christina Connors, 2011 Employee of the Year: Rymfire Elementary
Christina Connors, 2011 Employee of the Year: Rymfire Elementary
Gillian Ceballos, 2011 Employee of the Year: Indian Trails Middle School
Gillian Ceballos, 2011 Employee of the Year: Indian Trails Middle School
Margaret Carcagente, 2011 Employee of the Year: Belle Terre Elementary
I moved to Palm Coast 12 years ago. I was previously employed at the Brentwood Schools on Long Island, New York for 16 years. Nancy Willis gave me a chance to work with children again in the Pre-K program with Jan Hammond and Diane Lesnick. I will always be thankful to them. During the first […]
Laura Cappello, 2011 Employee of the Year: Plant Services
Laura Cappello, 2011 Employee of the Year: Plant Services
Liz Astuto, 2011 Employee of the Year: Wadsworth Elementary
Liz Astuto, 2011 Employee of the Year: Wadsworth Elementary
Dario Arias, 2011 Employee of the Year: Custodial Services
Dario Arias, 2011 Employee of the Year: Custodial Services
Louise Wolfe, 2011 Teacher of the Year: Matanzas High School
Louise Wolfe, 2011 Teacher of the Year: Matanzas High School
William Brian Tuttle, 2011 Teacher of the Year: Pathways Academy
William Brian Tuttle, 2011 Teacher of the Year: Pathways Academy
Beverly Thompson, 2011 Teacher of the Year: Wadsworth Elementary
Beverly Thompson, 2011 Teacher of the Year: Wadsworth Elementary
Maureen Stowell, 2011 Teacher of the Year: Adult Education
Maureen Stowell, 2011 Teacher of the Year: Adult Education
James Pignatiello (That Is, Mr. Pig), 2011 Teacher of the Year: Flagler Palm Coast High School
James Pignatiello (That Is, Mr. Pig), 2011 Teacher of the Year: Flagler Palm Coast High School
Christina Miller, 2011 Teacher of the Year: Buddy Taylor Middle School
Christina Miller, 2011 Teacher of the Year: Buddy Taylor Middle School