Political differences continue to surface at school board meetings as board members redraw the maps that define who they are supposed to represent. Some boards are discussing the need to establish majority-minority districts by grouping large numbers of minorities into a single district, also removing them from others. It’s not always a friendly conversation. Read on for that story and more Florida education news.
‘Hispanics in office are not a chance.’ Hillsborough County School Board member Karen Perez fired back at suggestions by fellow member Stacy Hahn that the board needs to set up an electoral district for Hispanic candidates. Noting the board has had Hispanic members for nearly two decades, she called Hahn’s statements disrespectful.
Hot topics
Teacher pay: Contract talks floundered in Hillsborough County. District officials rejected a union request for extra pay to veteran employees, saying they can’t afford it. • Orange County teachers protested outside their School Board meeting, upset about what they consider a paltry raise offer, the Orlando Sentinel reports. • The Brevard County School Board ratified a teacher contract that did not address salary compression, with union leaders saying the issue must be tackled in the coming year, Florida Today reports.
Sexual harassment: Some former students, parents and educators urged the Hillsborough School Board to take a closer look at how it deals with complaints about sexual harassment in the schools.
English-language learners: Schools in Florida and around the nation don’t do enough to identify ELL students for gifted classes and programs, The 74 reports.
Dress code: A more neutral student dress code St. Johns County schools yielded similar results to the one it replaced: A majority of violations issued to girls, WTLV reports.
Substitute shortage: The Bay County school district implemented a new incentive plan to attract more substitute teachers, WJHG reports.
More school news
A Broward County teacher was fired for insubordination over his refusal to wear a mask at work. He plans to appeal the decision, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
An Osceola County school employee filed a complaint against the sheriff for not showing ID when picking up his child from school. Sheriff Marcos Lopez said he was just kidding around, because he knew the employee, WFTV reports.
Flagler County’s longtime school board attorney survived a push to fire her. Kristy Gavin called the attempts by one board member to get rid of her a “witch hunt,” Flagler Live reports.
A Manatee County six-year-old student left school through the walk-home gate instead of getting on his bus. District officials are investigating the scenario, which the parents said have caused them to lose faith in their school, WFTS reports.
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From the police blotter … Three Bay County middle school students were arrested on accusations of having weapons on campus, the Panama City News Herald reports. • Thirteen students were arrested after a brawl at a Miami-Dade County high school, WTVJ reports. • Three Osceola County high school students were arrested on allegations of beating a schoolmate, WESH reports. The incident was seen on a viral video.
From the court docket … The Broward County School Board approved a $25 million settlement of a lawsuit with Parkland school shooting victims’ families, WSVN reports.
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Before you go … More Harry Potter back story? Yes please.
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