Florida Education 7th in Nation

Posted on January 10th, 2014 by

Florida EducationFlorida Education  7th in Nation

Florida ranks higher on K-12 achievement

Governor Scott wasted no time sharing his pleasure of the news that Education Week 2014 Quality Counts report ranked Florida 7th in the country in K-12 achievement.   Governor Scott said, “Today’s news that Florida jumped to 7th nationwide in K-12 achievement is the result of great work by our teachers. Florida families depend on an education system that provides every student with a quality education”, the press release went on to say, “I am proud of Florida’s teachers who have worked so hard to help their students be successful”.

Additional Florida DOE Highlighted in the 2014 Quality Counts report include:

  • Florida increased the percentage of students scoring proficient or higher on the 2013 NAEP reading and math assessments for both 4th and 8th grade. Florida’s gains in average NAEP scores from 2003 to 2013 are higher than those of the nation.
  • Florida closed the poverty gap in reading and math for both 4th and 8th grade by 2.7 and 5.5 points respectively between 2003 and 2013. Florida is closing the gap at higher rates than the nation as a whole.
  • Florida ranks third for increasing its Advanced Placement (AP) scores and for increasing the percentage of 11th and 12th grade AP test takers scoring 3 or higher, up to 36.6 percent from 31.3 percent last year – a 26.4 point increase since 2000. The Sunshine State’s AP performance and increases are higher than that of the nation.
  • Florida improved its rank on the chance for success measure and improved its rank to 12 on two sub measures for this metric – preschool enrollment and elementary reading (NAEP grade 4).
  • Florida ranks first on two of the four equity measures related to school finance – the McLoone Index that measures actual spending as a percent of the amount needed to bring all student funding to a median level, and the measure which evaluates the amount of disparity in district spending, meaning the Sunshine State leads the nation in the equal distribution of funds amongst its school districts.

For complete information on this year’s report, visit 2014 Quality Counts.

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Governor Rick Scott Appoints Les Cook as Property Appraiser of Citrus County

Posted on January 7th, 2014 by

Les CookGovernor Rick Scott Appoints Les Cook as Property Appraiser of Citrus County

Governor Rick Scott today appointed an interim successor to Citrus’s late Property Appraiser Geoffrey Greene.  I greatly appreciate Governor Scott promptly making this appointment for the Citizens’ of Citrus County.

Governor Scott’s Official Release

Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Leslie K. “Les” Cook as Property Appraiser of Citrus County.

Cook, 56, of Homosassa, is the assistant property appraiser for Citrus County and has been with the Property Appraiser’s office since 1980. He fills the vacancy created by the passing of Geoffrey Greene and is appointed for a term beginning January 6, 2014, and ending November 11, 2014.

Governor Scott said, “My sincerest condolences are with Geoffrey Greene’s entire family as they grieve his passing. I am confident that Les Cook will continue to provide excellent service to the taxpayers of Citrus County.”

Source: http://www.flgov.com/2014/01/07/governor-rick-scott-appoints-leslie-cook-as-property-appraiser-of-citrus-county/

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God Bless The Greene Family

Posted on January 5th, 2014 by

God Bless The Greene Family

“It is with much sadness that we heard the news today of the passing of Geoff Greene.  I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Greene long before he was in public office, when he operated a carpet cleaning service with his brother-in-law.  I will always remember and appreciate how kind Mr. Greene was to my father.

My family lifts the Greene family up in prayer and we ask each of you to do the same.”

Thomas Kennedy

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Happy New Year 2014!

Posted on January 1st, 2014 by

2013-to-2014Happy New Year 2014!

New Life To Our Schools, Students and Teachers

Each New Year brings new goals, new desires, and new hopes. This year great change is needed in Florida’s public school laws and governances.  It is my hope and my prayer that the when the Florida State Legislator meets for the 2014 session that common sense, rational thinking and positive non-partisan solutions are agreed on and passed.  This includes changes that would not only give clear direction on Florida’s education standards and state assessments, but also includes Legislative intervention into the Duke Energy lawsuits and its damaging reduction of funding to our Citrus schools and classrooms.

This past 2013 year, the school board and district often had to make decisions, choosing the lesser of two bad options.  This past year also saw the state’s implementation of a widely criticized and flawed school grading system, which begins with a controversial single day “high-stakes” assessment test (FCAT 2.0 or EOC) and finishes with 50% of a teacher’s evaluations being based on these controversial assessments as well as students’ lives being determined by these “high-stakes” assessment tests.  In 2013 we saw at the beginning of the year a “non-negotiable” expectation and mandates by the Florida Department of Education (FL-DOE), State Legislator and Florida Governor that all curriculums must be aligned to the Common Core State Standards and with what then the Governor and FL-DOE described as an improved “high-stakes” assessment test the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) would be the answer to all the negative issues of FCAT and FCAT 2.0. Then at the end of 2013, the Governor and Department of Education abandoned PARCC, and are now rethinking the whole Common Core standards and looking to now develop new Florida standards which may look similar to Common Core.  In the meantime due to the mandates to Common Core and the use of Common Core assessments for teacher evaluations millions of dollars locally and perhaps billion statewide have been spent preparing and transitioning for these requirements. Now with the changes being suggested by political groups and the Governor districts have had to find a way to fund these mandates by often cutting in others areas. Will that money now be in vain? I hope not.  This legislative session will be another important one as several education changes are likely to take place and I will do my best to help keep you informed and how you can help.

This coming year no doubt will have its sure of challenges and successes. I encourage each of us in our many different roles as parents, teachers, educators, staff and community to work hard to recognize the problems that we must fix but remember as hard as it can be to stay optimistic and to focus on the positive parts of public education.

May we, through our schools and students continue to be blessed in our great county.

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Camp Citrus Summer Camp at The Marine Science 2014

Posted on December 17th, 2013 by

MSS BoatCamp Citrus Summer Camp at The Marine Science 2014

Middle School & High School

The Marine Science Station will again be hosting Camp Citrus Summer Camp, three summer camp experiences, two for Middle Schoolers: June 9 through June 13, 2014 and June 23 through June 27, 2014 and one for High Schoolers: June 16 through June 20, 2013.  Camp will be limited to 30 Middle School students (A waiting list will be established in case someone is unable to attend).  Eligible students will have successfully completed the 6th, 7th or 8th grade for middle school and for those that have completed the 9th grade for High School.

MSS SnorkleThe Marine Science Station facilities are located on a fifteen-acre marsh hammock that fronts the Salt River to the north with the remaining sides facing the tidal marsh.  Improvements to the site include two dormitories, dining hall, student classroom/wet laboratory with aquaria, assembly room with computer lab and an office.  A fifty-foot observation tower and a library are also available for student use.

Students enrolled in camp will live at the Marine Science Station for one week.  During that week the students will participate in various activities while exploring the unique coastal habitats of West Central Florida.  Daily boat excursions will take students on exciting explorations of the fresh water spring systems of the area, the estuary system as well as into the Gulf of Mexico, where they spend time snorkeling and swimming in order to experience these unique areas first hand.  The station has three 23-foot boats and one 27 foot boat, each capable of carrying 15 passengers for field studies and excursions.  All boats meet and exceed U.S. Coast Guard safety requirements and are operated by USCG licensed captains.  Also available are canoes, nets, trawls, and other collecting gear.

Fees:

Summer Camp fees are $349 per student.  This fee includes all needed supplies, housing meals and an evening snack.  Also included are all daily trips, nighttime activities and a camp T-shirt.

Students need only bring a SMALL amount of personal spending money.  Additional T-shirts, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellant and single use cameras will be available for purchase at the camp.

Housing:

Campers will reside in an air-conditioned dorm.  Campers will need to bring a sleeping bag or bedding (bunks with mattresses are provided) and a pillow.  The camper will provide all personal toiletry items.

Program may include, but is certainly not limited to:

  • General Estuarine Survey
  • Oyster Bar
  • Springs Snorkel Trip
  • Deepwater Drags
  • Sponge Bed Snorkel Trip
  • Gomez Rocks Snorkel Trip
  • Weeki Wachee Canoe Trip
  • Scavenger Hunt
  • Volleyball, Basketball and other sports equipment is available for use during free time

Program Staff:

The experience that students have during a visit to the Marine Science Station is enhanced by the fact that they are under the supervision of certified teachers 24 hours each day. The permanent staff includes the program director, resource teachers, custodian, secretary and food service workers.

Application: 

Interested students should complete the application packet and return it to the Marine Science Station at the address printed on the top of the application.  Application review will begin April 1st and continue until all positions are filled.

Hugh P. Adkins, Supervisor

Marine Science Station
12646 West Fort Island Trail
Crystal River, Florida 34429
(352) 795-4393

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Regular Board Meeting Recap for Dec. 10th, 2013

Posted on December 13th, 2013 by

Board Meeting 12/10/2013Regular Board Meeting Recap for Dec. 10th, 2013

Choir, Presentations and Awards!

December 10th, 2013 I chaired my first full regular school board meeting.  School Board Member Patricia Deutschman had the opening exercises and, with the assistance of soard secretary, Linda Verderame, arranged to have the Citrus High School’s a-capella choir.  (follow this link to view video of performance: youtu.be/nDmZCvf_0WE) What a great way to start a school board meeting.

Regular Board Meeting Recap for 12/12/2013 1One of the presentations was the Superintendents “Making a Difference Award” which was presented to Camden Blackburn, a student at Pleasant Grove Elementary School, and Rosemary Sullivan, a bus driver with Citrus Schools. The awards were given for their heroic efforts which lead to Camden’s brother receiving lifesaving assistance.  Earlier this school year while riding to school Ms. Sullivan was informed by a student that Camden’s brother was sick. Ms. Sullivan took the appropriate action to bring the bus to a safe stop, and radio EMS.  Camden’s brother was unconscious. Camden provided the necessary information and assistance that lead to EMS prompt response and then immediate transport to Shands Hospital.  After weeks of treatment Camden’s brother was released and is healing now back at home.

The other impressive presentation awarded on that day was to recognize the Foreign Exchange Students with the Rotary Youth Exchange.  Director Chairman Doug Lobel presented five high school students from the countries of Belgium, Croatia, Finland, and Brazil who have been attending our three high schools this school year.  The students shared what life and school is like in their home countries and how it compares to Citrus County and the United States. Some of the comments the Board heard were, “I love having sports in high school and picking and choosing your (educational) classes”, “In Finland I never could have taken keyboarding (Piano) as a subject in school. Now I play piano.” Over and over the students said that what is different about American schools is that one, everyone can go to high school, not only those that meet certain criteria. The other is that you have a choice of some of the classes you can take, and lastly, that in Citrus County students can take classes in the field of Arts. These students exchange their own family homes with American students who are living in their native countries and who are learning the language and culture.  This program is celebrating its 70th year this year.

Besides the presentations the board received updates on the Duke Energy lawsuit statutes and its impact to the district.  I will be sharing more about that in a subsequent blog.  The Board also approved the purchase of additional Penn Foster site licenses and the new English Language Arts text books for grades 6-12 for use beginning in the 2014-2015 school year.

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