School Board Meeting Recap for Feb 8th

Posted on February 10th, 2011 by

Tuesday, February 8th, 2010 ,  was our school board’s regular board meeting.

The meeting began with the Academy of Environmental Science (AES) sharing its annual report.  AES is Citrus County’s first charter school and was established in 1999 through a partnership with individuals, organizations, agencies, and the Citrus County School Board.  AES is active in community events including Coastal Cleanup, Save Our Waters Week, National Wildlife Refuge Week, and Earth Day. Students who have attended the academy have received numerous awards in the Citrus County Regional and Florida Science and Engineering Fair, Regional and State Envirothon as well as many scholarships to post secondary institutions. All students between grades nine and twelve who have maintained a 2.0 or higher in their core courses and have passed an academy review of their discipline and attendance records are eligible to apply for enrollment into the academy.

Ben Stofcheck, Administrator for AES reports on AES at the School Board Meeting Feb 8, 2011

Mr. Ben Stofcheck, Administrator for AES,  reported that AES currently has approximately 96  students enrolled.  During the 2009-2010 school year, AES  student  progress maintained a remarkable average of 3.26 GPA  per  semester.  Mr. Stofcheck went on to share that AES again was the #1 high school at the 2010 Citrus Regional Science & Engineering Fair.  Six of the ten students selected for the 2010 State Science & Engineering Fair were from AES.  One of the two students selected for the INTEL International Science & Engineering Fair was from AES.   The ninth grade Algebra 1 team won 2nd place in the Citrus Math Field Day competition.  Mr. Stofcheck proudly reminded the board that AES was selected by the US News & World Report as one of the “Best 100 High Schools” in the United States.  AES board of directors is organizing a fund-raising dinner set for Feb. 26 at Sugarmill Woods Country Club in Homosassa. Proceeds benefit students, paying for things such as supplies, equipment, books, field trips  and shelves to create a library. The event includes a silent auction, cash bar ,  and live deejay. Social hour starts at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person or $250 for a table. For reservations or more information, call 726-4093, ext. 4093, or 795-8703.

The very concerning news…  Executive Director of Business Services   Ken Blocker shared Governor Scott’s proposed  recommended educational budget.  If the Governor’s recommendations are approved in its current form, Citrus County Schools will face for the 2011-2012 school budget a $8.2 million dollar cut which is approximately 8% of the budget.   In my  personal opinion, this  is devastating to our students’  education and future.  I ask you to continue to monitor and stay informed on  the  Governor’s recommended budget.  We need for you to contact your legislators about the negative impact this budget will have on our student s’  education and future.

At the meeting several budget amendments were approved.  These amendments brought up at board meetings are often for prior approved purchases and fund reclassification.  The board also approved  the hiring of an engineering report on corrections needed for the parent pickup line at the Inverness Middle School.

The meeting ended with board member reports.  Member Linda Power reminded the public of the upcoming Purple Heart Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20th, 2011, at the Florida National Guard Armory in Crystal River.  Chairman Bill Murray shared about the annual Galaxy of Stars event to honor the 2012 Teacher of the Year and 2011 School-Related Employee of the Year.  Member Pat Deutschman shared about speaking before the Board of County Commissioners on the proposed Educational Impact Fee.  (More on the impact fee issue in the future.)

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