Today's news
TEXTING TEACHER TERMINATED: Former Plant High band director John Sinibaldi, accused of sending more than 500 text messages to a student, is fired for inappropriate conduct.
SEX TO CURE SHYNESS: Former Davidsen Middle teacher Stephanie Ragusa told one of her students he seemed shy, and she could help, according to the warrant that led to her arrest on five felony charges of lewd and lascivious battery for activities with the minor.
MAP MISHAP: Pasco administrators apologize to charter operator (and state representative) John Legg after incorrectly telling his Dayspring Academy it would have to return its state-awarded teacher performance pay bonuses.
THEY LIKE IT: A growing chorus of school officials express their support for a bill that would reduce the role of the FCAT in grading schools. Walton leaders are the latest, the Walton Sun reports.
REQUIRED READING: The Stuart News recommends that all Florida lawmakers read the latest Florida TaxWatch report that details ideas of how to save money in education without harming students in the classroom.
WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE? The battle over control of Florida's university system is a pure political power struggle, the Palm Beach Post reports. The Miami Herald editorializes that the proposed changes would mark an unneeded return to the past.
FSU FEES: Florida State president T.K. Wetherell tells his trustees that he's working on a plan to absorb about $50-million in reduced revenue. Part of the plan includes higher fees, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.
COLLIER CONUNDRUM: A Collier board member floats the idea of a local option tax referendum to help the district cover expected shortfalls, but the superintendent says the district is too fractured politically to win such a vote, the Naples Daily News reports. How fractured? The teachers and district are still fighting over contract terms for a year that's more than half over, the Daily News reports.
WE'LL TAKE THEM: A charter school firm that's been looking for spots to open in Volusia eyes some of the schools the district just decided to close, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.
'YOU'RE INELIGIBLE': A New York middle school bans students with conduct or academic problems from participating in any after-school events, hoping to prompt a change, the NY Times reports. The rule is tougher than those of most high schools, and reaction is not surprisingly mixed.
Get inside the world of Florida education with St. Petersburg Times staff writer Jeffrey S. Solochek and the rest of the Times education reporting team. We'll bring you up-to-date information about the latest education trends, fads and news and dig deep into Tampa Bay area school issues.
Show me the texting! Show me the texting! I'm a big boy. Come on Mr. Sinibaldi, release the messages. Chances are you are more technologically competent than those who just fired you.
Posted by: Timmy! | April 04, 2008 at 04:50 PM