The big story: As the pandemic has progressed, school district protocols dealing with the coronavirus have seen some changes. One of the most significant changes has occurred in the area of contact tracing and quarantine.
Faced with state restrictions on when students and staff must stay home, many districts have moved away from the detailed contact tracing and reporting of cases that marked the first year of the virus’s spread. . The Brevard County School District announced this week that it end of contact tracing due to a lack of resources, reports WESH. With rapidly rising numbers due to the contagious omicron variant, however, the move is facing a backlash.
A group of Pasco County students raised concerns this week that the lack of information has created chaos and confusion for them and their teachers. Their education is in jeopardy, they told the school board. What do they want? Read the story here.
How widespread is the virus these days? Duval County schools reported more cases in the last two weeks that in the first two months of the course, the Florida Times-Union reports. • Schools in Marion County recorded a record number of seven days, the Ocala Star-Banner reports. • Indian River County Schools perform a daily juggling act to make sure all classes are covered when teachers call in sick, WPTV reports. • Manatee County School District postponed many extracurricular activities, including performing arts but excluding sports, as its positivity rate has increased, reports the WFLA.
Mask issues persist. The Palm Beach County School Board reimposed a mask mandate during its meetings, reports WPTV. • No doctor in Florida has been disciplined for inappropriately issue mask opt-out forms earlier in the school year, reports Scripps.
Stock Tallahassee
The State Board of Education held a conference call on Wednesday to consider amendments to its budget proposal. It lasted less than six minutes, with no questions or comments about proposals to synchronize the council’s spending plan with that of the governor. You can listen now, and review the documents here.
A proposal to protect research information on college presidents from the public has been advanced at the State House. It has been modified to shorten the time during which the recordings would remain private, Florida politics reports.
A bill to clarify the charter school renewal process passed through its second House committee. The measure came after the Hillsborough County School District tried to overturn some charters with little notice during the summer, Florida politics reports.
Today in Tallahassee… the House Education and Employment Committee meets at 9 a.m. when three bills are scheduled to be considered, including a measure to extend parental rights in schools. The committee will also consider a proposal to eliminate salaries of school board members, reports the News Service of Florida.
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money matters
The Santa Rosa County School District wanted to increase its impact fee. A county judge invalidated the action, noting gaps in district data justifying the higher amount, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.
The Alachua County School Board has approved a plan for $61.5 million in requested federal stimulus funds. Some residents have demanded more transparency how the money will be spent, the Gainesville Sun reports.
Escambia County veteran teachers are upset with the district’s raise offer. They rejected a Proposed increase of $200, claiming that it did not value their work, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.
In other news
With spotty bus rides, some families in Okaloosa County have turned to Uber to get their kids home after school. They find out that Uber has a policy against pick up unaccompanied minors, the Northwest Florida Daily News reports.
Another school district in Florida needs a new superintendent. St. Lucie County Schools Chief Wayne Gent announced that he retire at the end of June, TC palm reports.
The Palm Beach County School District has a new police chief. superintendent recommended an interim leader during a national search for a permanent replacement, palm beach post reports.
School board races are intensifying. A pastor who sits on the Volusia County Commission and who has been a pandemic denier has announced its offer knocking down a member of the school board for the first time, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.
Police blotter… A 16-year-old Seminole County student was arrested as a suspect in a school shooting of an 18-year-old college student, reports WFTV. The police described the situation as an isolated conflict. Other students at the school said shootings on campus shouldn’t feel so normal, reports WKMG.
Don’t miss a story. Yesterday’s roundup is just a click away.
Before you leave … Dolly Parton turned 76. Mark the occasion with a hot new remix of Jolene certain to attract new fans a quarter of her age.
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