Posted on August 7th, 2013 by
Thomas Kennedy
Blogging & Reporting Delays Lately
Dear Readers,
I want to apologize for the lack of blogs and/or delay in reports the past several weeks. My father who I am most close to is terminally ill which has resulted in me having to prioritize some of my routines. I want to also take this opportunity to thank our wonderful community for its prayers and support during this time. They have been a great help and have given our family much strength. It has been such a tremendous example of the great county and community we are honored to live in. My family and I feel so blessed to live and work in Citrus County and the Citrus School District.
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Posted on August 7th, 2013 by
Thomas Kennedy
Recap of School Board Workshop and Special Meeting for July 30th
“Approved five to zero”
It has been over six months since School Board Chairperson Ginger Bryant was able to say the words, “approved five to zero”, at a Citrus County School meeting but at this meeting she was able to once again when Sandy Balfour was sworn in. Florida Governor Rick Scott appointed Sandy Balfour as an interim board replacement as that is his responsibility when an elected official resigns office as was the case in January when the school board member from district 4 resigned. Ms. Balfour was sworn in at the beginning of the board meeting. Ms. Balfour is not new to Citrus County as she has been a teacher in the district for many years and most recently has been the language arts teacher for the Public Charter School, The Academy of Environmental Sciences.
The other major agenda item during the meeting was the board’s unanimous adoption of the Tentative Millage Rates, the Tentative Facilities Work Plan and the Tentative General and Capital Budget for the 2013-2014 Budget Year. During the meeting two members of the public attended and one of them asked questions regarding the amount of the millage rate and what can be done to reduce the millage rate. Kenny Blocker, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, explained several important items regarding the budget to better answer the person’s questions. Mr. Block explained that other than 1.5 mills for capital improvements and upkeep of the buildings the remaining millage rate is set by the State Legislator, not the local school board. Board Member Ms. Deutschman went on to explain that Florida has an education equalization funding law which provides the same amount per student to all districts. The purpose is so that students in districts like Citrus that have a lower taxable property value get the same amount per student as students in high property value districts like Palm Beach County. In addition Mr. Blocker explained that this year’s budget reflects an overall decrease of approximately $13.8 million less (or 5.9%) from the approved budget of 2012-2013.
The board approved salary steps for all employees for the coming 2013-2014 budget year. I am pleased that the board did this but it should also be noted that this is a contractual requirement and must provide annual steps, unless the school board declares a fiscal emergency and meets the requirements of said fiscal emergency as defined in state statute.
The board also approved an agreement between the College of Central Florida and the Citrus County School Board for providing Dual Enrollment options for Citrus County students.
The board reviewed some policies that needed to be revised and lastly the board gave direction to staff that with the recent changes in State Law the board would like a revised policy to permit the safe use of Epinephrine Auto Injectors (commonly known as “EpiPens”) for students. Last year, due to a new State Health Department’s interpretation of the use of EpiPens by schools, schools would not be allowed to use an EpiPens on a student unless student already had a prescription could have; students could also administer it to themselves. These critical life- saving devices have saved many students’ and adults’ lives in Florida schools and the State Legislators listened and revised the law to allow schools to have them in their health clinics.
Click here to watch the videos from this meeting…
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Posted on July 18th, 2013 by
Thomas Kennedy
State Educational Board Approves Safety Net for School Grades
This past Tuesday (July 16, 2013) the State Board of Education met via conference call to consider recommendations from Florida Department of Education Commissioner, Dr. Tony Bennett to revise the school grading process for this year.
In brief, the Commissioner Bennett had recommended one, the continuation of the transition safety net provision that prevents schools from dropping more than one letter grade and two, assessment scores of students attending ESE center schools such as Citrus County’s C.R.E.S.T school would not be applied back to the “home” school for students who have never previously enrolled in a non-ESE center school within the district and who score at the emergent level on the Florida Alternative Assessment (FAA). On a 4-3 vote, the State Board approved these recommendations. In effect, these changes will reduce the number of schools graded “F” from 262 to 108.
Why was this needed and why would Commissioner Bennett “pad” schools grade?
Recently it was clear that the new state’s school accountability system and particularly the school learning gains formulas appear are flawed. As such during the discussion of these proposed changes, some State Educational Board members questioned the validity of the school grading formula. As an example, it was pointed out that, out of 800 possible points for determining a school’s grade, a decline of 80 points (10%) could result in a decline of 3 letter grades (i.e. a decline from a “B” to an “F”). Some State Educational Board members commented that the dozens of changes that had been made to the school accountability system had resulted in a school grading formula had become overly complicated and did not rely sufficiently on actual student performance. Other Board members expressed concerns about adopting the Commissioner’s recommendations, asserting that the school grading formula should not be changed just because the results were less than ideal.
I am pleased with Commissioner Bennett’s recommendations and the State Educational Board members’ decision. This new/revised school accountability system is flawed and needs to be reviewed and since teachers’, and school administrators’ pay is now tied to the Florida school accountability system it was plain wrong to use this new accountability system as devised.
If you have any specific questions on State Educational Board members’ decision please feel free to contact me.
*Information provided in part by Ruth Haseman Melton, Director of Legislative Relations for the Florida School Boards Association
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Posted on July 18th, 2013 by
Thomas Kennedy
Stuff the Bus
July 27th, 2013 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
At Publix locations in Inverness, Citrus Hills & Crystal River and Walmart location in Homosassa.
The Citrus County School District is preparing for the annual Stuff the Bus back-to-school drive.
Stuff the Bus is a school supply drive that assists parents and teachers in Citrus County who find their students without basic school supplies due to economic hardship.
By providing these children with the things that every child needs to start school, we can drastically change their future for the good. Children who have what they need and feel good about themselves do much better in school that those who don’t. Also, providing these necessary school supplies will allow teachers to focus on teaching the first few days of school rather than trying to help the students find the basic school supplies. Stuff the Bus also helps teachers!
For more information contact Bernadette Salmaggi – Educational Services – 352-726-1931 x 2246
Thank you for your support of this worthwhile projec! You have made a difference for kids!
Supplies Needed:
- Pencils
- Pens
- Spiral Notebooks
- Rulers
- BookBags
- Loose Leaf 3 hole paper
- Lunch Boxes
- Crayons
- Markers
- 3 Ring Binders (1 and 2 inch)
- Glue Sticks
- Small Assignment Notebooks
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Posted on July 9th, 2013 by
Thomas Kennedy
7th Graders Entering School Need Immunizations & Tdap
Do you have a child or know of a child entering the 7th grade for the 2013-2014 school year? In addition to compliance with all immunization requirements, children entering, attending, or transferring to the seventh grade in Florida schools must receive a tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccination.
By state statute, your child will not be able to start 7th grade without documentation of this required vaccination. To avoid interrupting your child’s educational opportunities for the 2013-2014 school year (starting date August 7, 2013), call for an appointment today with your private physician or the Citrus Health Department.
Be sure to take all your child’s immunization records with you so they can be updated. Please take the time today to make an appointment. If you have any questions regarding school immunization requirements, contact Jessica Hoag, Student Health Specialist at 352-527-0090 or your local Health Department location at 352-726-1731 (Inverness), 352-527-0068 (Lecanto), or 352-795-6233 (Crystal River).
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Posted on July 8th, 2013 by
Thomas Kennedy
Alexander the Great Understood The Importance of Teachers
(Written by Jeff Dunn & EduDemic)
Alexander III of Macedon, aka Alexander the Great, was undefeated in battle and knew his way around a battlefield. Teachers know a thing about doing battle as well. A good teacher is always battling to improve the lives of others. That’s what makes it such a noble career.
Click here to read rest…
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