Education Archives - WMNF 88.5 FM: Recent Episodes
None
New College of Florida will offer a course studying “wokeness” in January.
The class is called “The ‘Woke’ Movement” and be taught by Dr. Andrew Doyle over winter break.
It’s a one-month individualized studies program (ISP). Doyle is a comedian and conservative political satirist best known for creating the Twitter persona, Titania McGrath.
Nate March, the Director of Communications & Athletics at New College, said the name of the course “came from popular culture and the movement itself.”
The course is described as breaking down the “woke movement” as an illiberal “kind of cult,” see the full description below.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the course description was sent to students on Sunday night.
Wednesday, New College’s Provost Office, “was promoting a seminar for students that explains the ISP process and inadvertently included an out-of-date version of the ISP listings,” which caused students to speculate if the course had been taken off the ISP handbook.
The program intends to provide a background on the movement and to consider its ongoing impact on the modern world.
“Challenges to the First Amendment began around 10 years ago with the emergence of the Critical Social Justice (or ‘woke’) movement, which sought to promote equity according to group identity through authoritarian means,” Doyle wrote on UnHerd last month. “According to this view, popular culture has created a society of unthinking clones.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida was “where woke goes to die,” when he was reelected in November 2022.
“We fight the woke in the legislature. We fight the woke in the schools. We fight the woke in the corporations. We will never, ever surrender to the woke mob,” DeSantis said, according to CBS.
Once he was reelected as Florida’s governor, DeSantis appointed six new members to New College’s Board of Trustees.
“Under the leadership of Gov. DeSantis, our all-star board will demonstrate that the public universities, which have been corrupted by woke nihilism, can be recaptured, restructured, and reformed,” Christopher Rufo, an appointed trustee, tweeted.
Later, former New College President Patricia Okker was terminated from her position and the DEI office was abolished within the same meeting, according to the Associated Press.
“Most of us knew something was changing about higher-ed in this country at that moment. If this was successful at New College of Florida, it will be replicated in other places, and I think that’s what we’ve seen,” said Afshan Jafar, President of the American Association of University Professors Connecticut Conference.
After the institutional changes, New College made headlines when their “Rhetoric: Humor Institute” ISP was labeled as “homophobic” according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Doyle has been elected as a presidential scholar, which means that he only reports to New College’s President, Richard Corcoran instead of a department head. As a presidential scholar, Doyle’s course likely hasn’t received the same oversight.
“New College does have a committee that does approve courses, and they do have a system for approving regular courses, but I think it’s been deteriorating mostly by the new administration putting up parallel structures that are outside of faculty oversight and governance,” said Jafar. “They now just answer to Corcoran and have no limits in terms of the intellectual merit, or the lack thereof, in the course content that they’re proposing.
March told WMNF, “Please be assured the ISP is scheduled and Dr. Doyle is teaching it.”
The course description:“What has become known colloquially as the ‘woke’ movement is best understood as a kind of cult. Its members are generally decent people with good intentions, but their methods are essentially illiberal. They brook no dissent and seek to punish heresy wherever they find it. They have an unshakeable certainty that their faith is the only way to truth. They do not believe in the possibility of redemption for the fallen. And even though they are capable of the most horrendous dehumanising behaviour, they think they are the ‘good guys’. More and more people are finding themselves increasingly frustrated and confused by the impact of wokeness on their everyday lives. The disciples of this cult have insinuated themselves into all of our major institutions: the media, the arts, the law, the judiciary, education, academia, and government. Their ideas are complex and their way of speaking mysterious, meaning that the extent of their influence is often difficult to grasp. Ideas, opinions and words which up until recently were uncontroversial can now find people fired and publicly shamed. Good people feel unable to speak their minds for fear of being misinterpreted and mischaracterised, wilfully or otherwise. Activists have managed to restrict the Overton Window to such an extent that much-needed discussions – such as how to deal with the challenges raised by gender self-identification or the costs of unfettered immigration – are often avoided entirely. There is great uneasiness about the speed of these societal changes, and many are struggling to make sense of it all. This ISP will provide a background to the historical origins of this ideology, and consider its ongoing impact in the modern world.”
The post New College offers new ‘wokeness’ course this Spring appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
The University of South Florida Tampa campus broke ground on its new football stadium last week.
School administration was met with cheers and clapping at the ceremony, which some called just a taste of what the new facility will sound like when it opens.
Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford said the first time he announced the stadium three years ago, he had no plans in sight.
“Maybe we should have a plan before we go out publicly and tell people we’re gonna build a $400 million building,” Weatherford said. “I have to say sometimes in life, you just have to speak things into existence.”
The new Bulls stadium has a price tag of $340 million.
USF Athletics Director Michael Kelly said thirty years ago he thought the stadium would be great for the university, but it wasn’t the right time.
Now, it is.
“A home of our own will be built,” Kelly said. “Football and lacrosse will be played here, fans, students, alumni, and the community will gather here.”
“Championships will be won here,” he added.
The approximately 35,000 seat stadium is scheduled to open in Fall of 2027.
Kelly said that every time the players take the field, they will feel the power of Bulls nation behind them in the new stadium.
USF President Rhea Law said it will activate campus life, for students and alumni. She added it will not only be a game changer for sports but campus life as well.
“That is really the promise for what we’re talking about. It’s not just sports, it’s the other events, it’s the concerts, it’s the other activities that we will bring here,” Law said.
She said the stadium will have a major impact on the school’s future, beyond athletics.
Tony Umholtz is one of the first players on the university’s football team and said he is honored to be part of the journey.
“Being around this program, playing three years here, and then just being a season ticket holder and watching the program grow – it means so much from the heart for me,” Umholtz said.
The stadium will be the new home for the football and women’s lacrosse teams.
While parking on the Tampa campus has been a hassle for many students, Kelly said most games are on the weekends so it should not affect day-to-day parking during the school week.
But he said there is still time to refine the parking plan.
The post USF breaks ground on new $340 million football stadium appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
64 Pasco County Schools have been approved to participate in the Afterschool Meals Program. According to a press release from Pasco County schools, this program is a sub component of the Child Care Food Program. It is designed to provide healthy meals to children.
Schools that are approved to participate in the program:* ANCLOTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3610 MADISON STREET NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652 * JAMES M. MARLOWE ELEMENTARY SCHOL 5642 CECELIA DRIVE NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652 * ANCLOTE HIGH 1540 SWEETBRIAR DRIVE HOLIDAY, FL 33691 * LACOOCHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 38815 CUMMER ROAD DADE CITY, FL 35252 * ATHENIAN ACADEMY 3118 SEVEN SPRINGS BLVD NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34655 * LEARNING LODGE 5844 PINE HILL ROAD PORT RICHEY, FL 34668 * BAYONET POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL 11125 LITTLE ROAD NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34654 * MITTYE P. LOCKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4339 EVANS AVENUE NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652 * CALUSA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7520 ORCHID LAKE ROAD NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34653 * MOON LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 12019 TREE BREEZE DRIVE NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34654 * CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 38501 CENTENNIAL ROAD DADE CITY, FL 33525 * NEW RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4710 RIVER GLEN BLVD WESLEY CHAPEL, FL 33545 * CENTENNIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL 38505 CENTENNIAL ROAD DADE CITY, FL 33525 * HUDSON PRIMARY ACADEMY 14302 COBRA WAY HUDSON, FL 34669 * CHASCO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7906 RIDGE ROAD PORT RICHEY, FL 34668 * PASCO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 37350 FLORIDA AVE. DADE CITY, FL 33525 * CHASCO MIDDLE SCHOOL 7702 RIDGE ROAD PORT RICHEY, FL 34668 * PASCO HIGH SCHOOL 36850 STATE ROAD 52 DADE CITY, FL 33525 * CHESTER TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3638 MORRIS BRIDGE ROAD ZEPHYRHILLS, FL 33543 * PASCO MIDDLE SCHOOL 13925 14TH STREET DADE CITY, FL 33525 * CLASSICAL PREPARATORY SCHOOL 16500 Lyceum Way Spring Hill, FL 34610 * CONNERTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 9300 Flourish Drive Land O’ Lakes, FL 34637 * COTEE RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7515 PLATHE ROAD NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34653 * PAUL R. SMITH MIDDLE SCHOOL 1410 SWEETBRIAR DRIVE HOLIDAY, FL 34691 * CREWS LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL 15144 SHADY HILLS ROAD SPRING HILL, FL 34610 * Plato Academy 8810 Old Country Road 54 New Port Richey, FL 34653 * CYPRESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 10055 SWEET BAY COURT NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34654 * QUAIL HOLLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7050 QUAIL HOLLOW BLVD WESLEY CHAPEL, FL 33544 * DAYSPRING ACADEMY (ELEMENTARY) 8911 TIMBER OAKS AVENUE PORT RICHEY, FL 34668 * R.B. COX ELEMENTARY 37615 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD. DADE CITY, FL 33523 * DEER PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8636 Trouble Creek Road New Port Richey, FL 34653 * DENHAM OAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL1422 Oak Grove Boulevard Lutz, FL 33559 * EAST PASCO EDUCATION ACADEMY 35830 County Road 52 Dade City, FL 33525 * WEST PASCO EDUCATION ACADEMY 7229 Hudson Avenue Hudson, FL 34667 * DR. MARY GIELLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 14710 SHADY HILLS ROAD SPRING HILL, FL 34610 * R.B. STEWART MIDDLE SCHOOL 38505 TENTH AVE ZEPHYRHILLS, FL 33542 * FIVAY HIGH SCHOOL 12115 CHICAGO AVENUE HUDSON, FL 34669 * RICHEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 6850 ADAMS STREET NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652 * FOX HOLLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8309 FOX HOLLOW DRIVE PORT RICHEY, FL 34668 * RIVER RIDGE MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL 11646 TOWN CENTER ROAD NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34654 * GULF HIGH SCHOOL 5355 SCHOOL ROAD NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652 * SAN ANTONIO ELEMENTARY 32416 DARBY ROAD DADE CITY, FL 33525 * GULF HIGHLANDS ELEMENTARY 8019 GULF HIGHLANDS DRIVE PORT RICHEY, FL 34668 * SCHRADER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 11041 LITTLE ROAD NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34654 * GULF MIDDLE SCHOOL 6419 LOUISIANA AVENUE NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 33653 * SEVEN SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL * 8025 MITCHELL RANCH RD NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34665 GULF TRACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL * 3303 GULF TRACE BLVD HOLIDAY, FL 34691 SHADY HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL * 18000 SHADY HILLS ROAD SHADY HILLS, FL 34610 GULFSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL * 2329 ANCLOTE BLVD HOLIDAY, FL 34691 SUNRAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL * 4815 SUNRAY DRIVE HOLIDAY, FL 34690 LAKE MYRTLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL * 22844 Weeks Boulevard Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639 * WENDELL KRINN TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL 7650 ORCHID LAKE ROAD NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34653 * LONGLEAF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3253 Town Avenue New Port Richey, FL 34655 * PEPIN ACADEMY 7710 Osteen Rd. New Port Richey, FL 34653 * PINEVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 5333 Parkway Boulevard Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639 * VETERANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 26940 Progress Parkway Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 * HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL 14410 COBRA WAY HUDSON, FL 34669 * WEST ZEPHYRHILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 37900 14TH AVENUE ZEPHYRHILLS, FL 33542 * HUDSON MIDDLE SCHOOL 14540 COBRA WAY HUDSON, FL 34669 * WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 38203 HENRY DRIVE ZEPHYRHILLS, FL 33540 * DAYSPRING JAZZ 7137 JASMINE BLVD. PORT RICHEY, FL 34668 * ZEPHYRHILLS HIGH SCHOOL 6335 12TH STREET ZEPHYRHILLS, FL 33542 * WATERGRASS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 32750 Overpass Rd. Wesley Chapel, FL 33545
For more information about this program, parents should contact the coordinator of the program for their child’s school.
The post Pasco County Schools approved to serve after school lunches appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:In under a week, Pinellas County voters will decide whether or not to increase property taxes to help fund public schools. But if the referendum gets voted down, the tax will go away completely.
Since 2004, a small portion of homeowner’s taxes have gone to fund public schools.
A report from the 2022-23 school year says 44 million dollars went to teacher salaries, and 11 million to reading, art, and technology programs.
Beth Rawlins with Citizens for Pinellas Schools said those programs played a large role in the county receiving its first A rating from the Florida Department of Education.
“If you’re in Pinellas County, this is the last item on your ballot. And I want to make sure that people understand this is an all or nothing vote,” Rawlins told WMNF.
But Rawlins saidthat may all go away if the referendum gets voted down.
“If this referendum fails, referendum monies will cease to be collected in June of 2025. We will lose our teacher stipends, we will lose our art and music programs, our technology,” Rawlins said.
Pinellas County Schools say the tax would cost the average homeowner less than 20 dollars a month.
And Rawlins said the increase is worth it.
“Education is the best return on investment that you can possibly make in your community. If you are willing to invest some money into your K-12 education system – you will save on the back end in social services, law enforcement, you name it.” Rawlins said.
Election Day is November 5th.
The post Pinellas County referendum could increase teacher pay, fund arts and tech programs appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
The people of Florida are voting on an amendment to the constitution to decriminalize adult recreational marijuana.
Sunday Forum October 27, 2024 8am
Sunday Forum October 27, 2024 9am
Attorney Michael Minarti and advocate Roz McCarthy with Minorities for Medical Marijuana are guest on the Forum.
The post Legalize it: amendment 3 implications appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
The 2024 general election is on, and outside of candidates, voters in Hillsborough County will decide on whether to renew a Community Investment Tax, plus make a decision about a 1% millage increase that would generate a projected $177 million annually—$150 million of that would go to the district, with $27 set for privately-run charter schools, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Rob Kriete, President of the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association, joined District 7 School Board incumbent Lynn Gray to speak in favor of the millage while former Hillsborough School Boardmember Steve Cona, and Jason Ferger, who runs the Hillsborough County School Board Accountability social media page, were on the line to speak against the proposal.
Proponents of the millage increase argue that the increase—a school tax of sorts where property owners would pay $1 for every $1,000 in taxable value—would allow Hillsborough County Schools to raise pay for its teachers, bus drivers and other support staff.
As previously reported, surrounding counties—Pasco, Pinellas, and Manatee—used funds raised via their millages to pay starting teachers as much as $57,000 a year.
Hillsborough trails in paying its teachers whose salaries start at $47,501, making the county 50th in the nation in teacher pay, according to Kriete. Gray added that there are 540 teacher vacancies at this moment.
On the second half of the show, Florida State Senator Joe Gruters—who represents parts of Manatee and Sarasota Counties—joined Dr. Jessica Spencer, Florida Director of Advocacy for Vote No on Amendment 3, to talk about the pros and cons of Florida’s proposed recreational weed amendment, which would allows adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption.
The post Let’s talk about Hillsborough’s school tax, and Florida’s fight for recreational weed appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Hurricane Milton damaged LiFT Academy and LiFT University in Clearwater.
The campus plans to reopen Monday, but only 70% of the school will be operational.
Executive Director Matt Spence said neurodivergent students attend LiFT because it provides the support they need.
After Milton, the school has a lot of damage; Spense said that parts of the roof came off and destroyed their gym, the clinic, and some of the sensory rooms.
“There likely going to be over 2 million dollars of damage to the facility,” Spence said. “Obviously we have insurance, but when you have a facility of our size and scope even the deductible is well over half a million dollars.”
It is going to be difficult for the students to return because routine is very important for their success, according to Spense.
“All the manipulatives and equipment that we use to help students calm down has been affected so we have to rebuild those rooms,” he said.
But Spense said the faculty will plan out new routines and rules for the students.
“We are strategizing how we can create a stable and normal experience as possible for the students,” Spense said.
Most of the damages will be fixed by the end of the weekend, but the gym will be out of use for several months.
About 180 students ages 5 to 57 attend LiFt. To donate or see how you can help, visit the school’s website.
The post Clearwater school for neurodivergent students picks up the pieces after Hurricane Milton appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Florida’s voter registration deadline is on Monday, Oct. 7, and mail ballots are on the way to addresses across the Tampa Bay area.
On the top half of the show, Katie Blaxberg spoke about her race for the final seat on the Pinellas County School Board.
Blaxberg—a University of South Florida alum who pivoted to education after earning a degree in biomedical science—has spent the last week getting her Largo-Clearwater area home back in order after seeing flood water damage. She’s suspended fundraisers to focus on helping neighbors recover, but did discuss property tax referendums, parental rights (and responsibility), Amendment 1, and how she’s been able to build a diverse coalition of support in Pinellas County.
Stacy Geier, Blaxberg’s opponent, is invited to come on the show, but has not committed to joining.
In the second half of the show, Hillsborough Supervisor of Election Craig Latimer—who is both running an election and in a race for re-election—joined us to talk about the challenges of his day-to-day, and his race to keep serving the county.
Latimer discussed the plan for polling places affected by Hurricane Helene (his office will walk any displaced voter through the process and will let them vote in his office today), poll workers, and where this election stands against his campaigns in 2012, 2016, and 2020.
Find links to podcasts of this episode on The Skinny’s show page.
The post Katie Blaxberg and Craig Lattimer talk Tampa Bay elections, storm response, and more appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Host Walter L Smith II recalls the life of his father who was the president of Florida A & M University in a critical time as calls to capture that life in a movie come through.
Also, analysis of the Black male electorate, right-wing lies and distractions.
The post life of Dr. Walter Smith, the black male vote appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Book Publishers, Authors, and Parents Are Fighting Back Against Florida Book BansIt is Banned Books Week and MidPoint addressed it on September 25, 2024. Recently, Florida and Texas are the states in competition for the most books banned in public schools, according to PEN America. Missouri, Utah, and South Carolina are not far behind in the competition for which state is the most retrograde, revisionist, and racist, at least in the book-banning event of the UNWOKE Olympics. But now, the books are fighting back. In a landmark federal lawsuit filed last month against the Florida Board of Education by a group of the major U.S. book publishers, The Authors’ Guild, public school parents, and students, a challenge has been mounted to the Florida law that bans books containing sexual content deemed “pornographic.”
Classic Books Have Been Banned in FloridaAs a result of Florida law HB 1069, hundreds of titles have been banned across the state since the bill went into effect in July 2023. The list of banned books includes classics such as Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, as well as contemporary novels by bestselling authors such as Margaret Atwood, Judy Blume, and Stephen King. Among nonfiction titles, accounts of the Holocaust such as The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank have also been removed.
The First Amendment Protects the Right to Receive Ideas in BooksOur guests today to discuss this lawsuit were Dan Novack, V.P and General Counsel of Penguin Random House publishers, the lead plaintiff in the case, and Judi Hayes, an Orange County Public Schools parent suing on behalf of her sons who attend public school there. Dan Novack explained that the law was being challenged on First Amendment Free Speech grounds, primarily because it provides for the censorship and removal of any book that is alleged to be “pornographic,” even though “pornographic” is not a term with a real legal definition. According to Penguin Random House, unless a book is found to be “obscene” under the U.S. Supreme Court’s legal definition, it is lawful, but, ultimately, whether it should be available to students in schools is a determination best left to trained educators, librarians, and a child’s parents, and not to random individuals of varying sensibilities. Florida’s law instead censors and removes the targeted book first, upon someone’s objection, then keeps the book out of school libraries, all while the book goes through a vague and lengthy review process, which may vary by county and result in inconsistent determinations around the state applying to the same book. Both Dan Novack and Judi Hayes argued that the decision of whether or not a child is ready and mature enough to read certain books should be made by their parents and educators, and not by an outside individual seeking to remove access to books from all children, which is the process the law currently provides. While the State may argue that it has the right to restrict speech in schools to further “pedagogical interests,” the broad right to receive ideas is fundamental to the First Amendment; that right should be protected to the greatest extent against State restrictions.
You can listen to the complete show here, on the WMNF app, or as a WMNF Midpoint podcast from your favorite podcast purveyor.
The post Banned Books are Fighting Back appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Dara Kam ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Incoming Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez is pushing back against a proposal that would give the chair of the state university system’s Board of Governors more authority over searches for new university presidents, saying it could “manipulate the hiring process.”
The Board of Governors’ proposal, given initial approval Wednesday, comes as three of the state’s 12 universities are operating with interim presidents and as search processes have drawn criticism for being shrouded in secrecy.
Board member Eric Silagy, who was among the critics of the proposed change Wednesday, argued it would essentially give the chair “veto” power over university search committees’ presidential selections.
Currently, search committees provide lists of presidential finalists to the universities’ boards of trustees. The names of applicants are kept secret until the finalists are invited to visit the schools and appear before the trustees. While the trustees choose presidents, the system’s Board of Governors has final approval power.
Under the proposed change, search committees would recommend to trustees lists of final applicants “subject to the prior review and approval by the chair of the Board of Governors.” The board’s rules require search committees to submit at least three finalists to the trustees, except in “exceptional circumstances.”
Proponents of the change argued Wednesday that giving the Board of Governors chair the ability to weigh in before finalists are made public would protect applicants from being identified if the process “goes awry.”
“I don’t think this is an overreach. I don’t think this is trying to take command of a search process from the trustees. I think it’s a reasonable control feature that is there simply to inspect and do it in a way that protects the confidentiality of the candidates, because it’s all in the shade,” Board of Governors Chair Brian Lamb said.
State lawmakers in 2022 created a public-records exemption for information that could identify university presidential applicants until near the end of searches, when information about finalists can be released. Information about other applicants is shielded from disclosure.
Perez, a Miami Republican who will take over as speaker after the November elections, told The News Service of Florida on Wednesday that the proposed change doesn’t align with the process envisioned by lawmakers.
“I am concerned by the discussion today at the Board of Governors, and what could be seen as an attempt to manipulate the hiring process for state university presidents. When the Legislature expanded confidentiality for the search process, we did not intend to change the roles of the Board of Trustees or the Board of Governors. If we had intended to give BOG members the power to veto a candidate ‘in the shade,’ to use their phrase, we would have specified that in the law,” Perez said.
The Board of Governors is slated to take a final vote on the proposal — which would apply to active presidential searches and future searches — at its next meeting, which is scheduled for Oct. 29 and 30 in Miami.
Silagy, a former president and CEO of Florida Power & Light, on Wednesday questioned whether the proposed change would discourage people from participating in search committees in what he indicated is an arduous process.
“When it comes down to making big moves on things, at least this is the way I used to do business on things that have less clarity around potential outcomes, I’m a little more of a walk before you run, first, right? You take a smaller position, so you don’t create a bigger problem by taking a big position,” Silagy said.
He suggested that the chair be allowed to “review” finalists without being given the authority to nix candidates. The board rejected Silagy’s proposed change.
Search committees have a maximum of 15 members, including a member of the Board of Governors, at least three university trustees and a mix of other school-related members.
The proposed changes also would allow the chair of the Board of Governors to appoint a second member to search committees. The additional appointee would not be a member of the board.
The law requiring applicants’ names to be kept secret until finalists are selected prevents members of the search committees from communicating with the Board of Governors, board member Alan Levine said during Wednesday’s discussion. Giving the board chair the ability to stop the process before the names are released provides a “safety valve” for candidates if the process goes “awry,” Levine argued.
“My fear, personally, speaking for myself, is if they have a problem and the names are published, then it becomes a public spectacle, and somebody’s reputation is on the line or their current job is on the line,” Levine said. “And so I feel like this is a good way to have that safety valve.”
But Florida International University Board of Trustees Chair Rogelio Tovar warned that giving the Board of Governors chair such authority could pose a “real struggle” for trustees trying to assemble search committees.
“It won’t be the type of leadership you want on that committee, because people will say, ‘I’m not going to waste my time if I just feel like I’m going to be overridden,’” Tovar said.
The proposed changes come as the University of Florida, Florida A&M University and Florida Atlantic University face the process of finding new presidents.
The Board of Governors on Wednesday approved the appointment of Kent Fuchs, who spent about eight years as the University of Florida’s president, as interim leader at UF. Fuchs was tapped by the UF Board of Trustees after the sudden resignation in July of former President Ben Sasse.
The Board of Governors also signed off on the selection of Tim Beard, a retired president of Pasco-Hernando State College, to serve as interim president at FAMU. Beard was named to the post after former President Larry Robinson stepped down following the school’s controversial acceptance and then rejection of a $237 million donation.
Florida Atlantic University also is preparing to launch a new presidential search, after state university system Chancellor Ray Rodrigues last year called off a previous search, citing “anomalies” in the selection process.
The proposal discussed Wednesday would make a flawed process even more problematic, First Amendment Foundation Executive Director Bobby Block told the News Service.
“This takes a bad situation, a bad formerly open process, and makes it even worse, and makes it even darker,” he said.
The post A change to the search process for Florida university presidents draws criticism appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Tampa Bay area counties see an alarming rise in school threatsOn Wednesday, three more teenagers were arrested for threats made against schools in Manatee County.
U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna says she was threatenedLuna wrote on X that her office “has received a very serious shooting threat.” She blamed Democrats for running a “division and hate campaign against Republicans.”
Florida vs. CDC on vax guidanceFlorida officials are issuing statements that conflict with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about COVID-19 vaccines.
A massive spending plan for New College is approvedA multimillion-dollar plan to expand enrollment and continue other major changes at New College of Florida was approved Wednesday by the state university system’s Board of Governors, despite concerns about the cost.
Florida faculty are itching to leaveThe Tampa Bay Times reports that A new survey shows nearly 40 percent of Florida faculty have applied to institutions in other states, mainly because of Florida’s political climate.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Seán Kinane
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Meghan Bowman, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Meghan Bowman, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole, Julia Saad, Justin Seecharan, Leah Burdick, Lia Marsee, Kiley Petracek.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /
The post The Scoop: Thurs. Sept. 19, 2024, Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Additional reporting provided by Chris Young.
Listen:By Jim Turner ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — A five-year, multimillion-dollar effort to expand student enrollment and continue other major changes at New College of Florida was approved Wednesday by the state university system’s Board of Governors, despite some concerns about the spending.
The Board of Governors approved a New College strategic plan, which will allow the school to receive $15 million that was included in the state budget. The plan also puts the small liberal-arts college on pace to request more than $200 million over the next five years.
“We are supporting the spending of a lot more money to educate a very small number of students that already cost exponentially more of state taxpayer dollars to educate, and I personally have concerns about that,” said Board of Governors member Eric Silagy, who voted against the plan during a meeting at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
Silagy, a former president and CEO of Florida Power & Light, said the funding is “the equivalent of USF (the University of South Florida) asking for $13 billion” over five years.
Silagy calculated that New College spent nearly $91,000 per student based on a 2023-2024 enrollment of 732 students, while the average for the state university system is about $10,000 per student.
Silagy also questioned plans to increase student-athlete enrollment at the Sarasota college to 36 percent of the student body over the next decade.
“Is this strategic plan the way that New College should go forward?” Silagy asked. “Should we be focusing on having a third of the student body be student-athletes and spending $100 million for that?”
For other board members, the answer was yes.
Board Vice Chair Alan Levine said the issue of per-student spending isn’t new for New College, which historically has had the lowest enrollment in the university system. Levine, the chairman, president and CEO of Ballad Health, added it isn’t unusual for small schools to have a high percentage of students participating in athletics.
Board Chair Brian Lamb said that while he wasn’t “happy” with the costs at New College, he was “supportive” of where the school is headed in student achievement.
“Getting your students through the university, performing at a high level, driving the outcoming in performance-based funding … I’m almost more focused on that,” said Lamb, a managing director with JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking.
New College has undergone major changes during the past two years, with Gov. Ron DeSantis remaking its Board of Trustees and former state House Speaker Richard Corcoran taking over as college president. It has tried to bulk up enrollment through adding athletic programs while taking controversial steps such as deciding to eliminate the school’s gender studies program.
Corcoran told the Board of Governors he was given the responsibility of rapidly turning around New College, and “that’s what we’re doing.”
“What the Legislature said with this is that we should have a premier liberal-arts college, but we’re tired, exhausted with the last 15-year history of this college and we want massive changes,” Corcoran said.
He said that based on updated student enrollment figures, and the annual fluctuation in state money, the cost per student should be around $68,000.
The plan compares New College with what are considered the “best” liberal-arts colleges across the nation, including Washington and Lee University and the University of Richmond in Virginia and Davidson University in North Carolina.
New College offers 12 intercollegiate sports and has a goal of fielding 24 teams by 2028 and 30 by 2034, with $100 million needed to upgrade athletic facilities.
This year’s state budget provided $10 million that became immediately available for “operational enhancements” and student scholarships at New College. An additional $15 million was contingent on the approval of the five-year strategic plan and is expected to be used for temporary student housing, additional scholarships, campus security and technology updates.
The school, which has experienced heavy faculty turnover during the past couple of years, has targeted increasing enrollment from 750 students to 1,200 by 2028 while keeping a 7-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. That could require up to 148 potential hires over the next five years, with a projected potential loss of 84 professors.
The post A massive spending plan for New College of Florida is approved despite concerns appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
On September 18, to thank the generous listener-supporters of our recent fund drive, MidPoint threw open the phone lines and let our listeners program the show with the news and public affairs issues and commentary that mattered most to them. To keep things lively and interesting, we invited a special guest, Lakeland’s own Billy Townsend, author of the free SubStack newsletter Public Enemy #1 to join us. Billy is the bard of Lakeland, a former Polk County School Board member, a civic chronicler, and the scourge of the Florida Charter Schools educational cabal who’ve labeled him as “Public Enemy #1.” Billy is also the author of Age of Barbarity, a history of Florida in the 1920s, and Seminole Wars, a collection of Florida essays.
We had a good time with our listeners dissecting the cronyism and grifting industrial complex of the DeSantis Administration, Polk County Sheriff and media darling, Grady Judd, the mob-like “bust out” job on New College of Florida and UF, and the foibles and failures of “New New College” President Richard Corcoran, (probably the least qualified college President in the U.S. who is inexplicably but constantly given the “grace of failing upward” in the words of Michelle Obama,) teacher union-busting, the rise of Manatee and Sarasota counties’ grassroots citizen movements to throw off the chains of their Anthony Pedicini and developer-controlled county commissions and school boards, and perhaps my favorite topic, the need for an alliance of Plant City and Lakeland against the encroaching “bougieness” of the Tampa-Orlando axis. You can listen to the show here.
WMNF is listener-powered, independent, community radio. Our MidPoint Talk Back Town Halls are one way we keep it that way. If there are news-worthy, Florida-centric stories you think we should be covering, send us an email to midpoint@wmnf.org. No promises, but we’ll consider your suggestions. Meanwhile, you can always listen to our shows on demand from our MidPoint archives, on the WMNF app, or as a WMNF MidPoint podcast from your favorite podcast purveyor. If you missed the fund drive and feel moved to join the WMNF community and support our work, please do. Just click here , make a donation, and select some of our great “Thank You” swag. We appreciate you.
The post Talk Back Town Hall with Billy Townsend appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
School shooting threats in Tampa region continueStatewide, school districts have been inundated with false shooting threats. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood’s message to students and their parents is if a kid gets arrested for making a threat, he’ll post the mugshot on social media.
DeSantis won’t mandate metal detectors in school districtsGovernor Ron DeSantis says metal detectors won’t be mandated in Florida schools. The governor’s remarks came at a press conference in Orlando the same day the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office arrested an 11-year-old who made threats.
Tampa launches new project to update development codesTampa is launching a two-year project to update the city’s land development code. WMNF’s Chris Young reports, the city held a public kickoff meeting at the City Center at Hanna Avenue to introduce it.
Court date scheduled for Transgender Medicaid coverage caseAn appeals court will hear arguments in late November about whether Florida violated federal law. The battle questions the state’s move to block Medicaid coverage for transgender people seeking hormone therapy and puberty blockers to treat gender dysphoria.
Forecasters monitoring two disturbancesForecasters are monitoring two tropical disturbances which could form into depressions by the weekend. The remnants of Gordon in the Atlantic could reform when it meets a non-tropical low.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Kiley Petracek
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /
The post The Scoop: Weds. Sept. 18th, 2024, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
WMNF Sunday Forum host, Walter Smith, II and his family were honored to participate in a ceremony today to rename a portion of N. Albany Avenue in honor of his father, Dr. Walter L. Smith. Dr. Smith is a Tampa native and former president of Florida A&M University (FAMU).
An international educator, Dr. Smith promoted education and liberty first in the United States then in South Africa. In the United States, the 16 year old high school dropout, eventually went on to earn two degrees at FAMU, a BA in biology and chemistry then a Master of Education.
In 1965, he became a program officer facilitating the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Title I of the 1965 Elementary Secondary Education Act for the U.S. Office of Education. Smith also helped to develop desegregation and graduate education training centers for African American administrators at the University of Miami and the Desegregation Center at FAMU.
Smith was the first Assistant Executive Director of the Florida Education Association. For his work, he received a full scholarship by the African American Institute of African Studies to Study abroad. He studied at universities in Ghana, Togo, Dahomey (Benin), and Nigeria. He received his doctorate in 1972 from Florida State University.
Following his role at FAMU, he was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Malawi, 1985-86. In 1993, Smith was asked to go to South Africa to develop South Africa’s first American-style two year college and became its founding president.
In 2002, Smith opened the Dr. Walter L. Smith Library in West Tampa. The library-museum is dedicated to promoting education in his hometown.
The street now bearing his name, Dr. Walter L. Smith Avenue, is in front of the library. Local dignitaries attended the ceremony, including Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera, Tampa City Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson, Tampa City Councilman Guido Maniscalco, and Tampa City Councilman Alan Clendinin.
Congratulations to Walter and his family for being part of this honor.
The post Tampa renames street for Dr. Walter L. Smith, pioneering educator and FAMU President appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Julia Saad
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, is a bipartisan organization that advocates for academic freedom and free speech.
FIRE surveyed college students nationwide about perceptions of their First Amendment Rights on campuses.
Chief Research Adviser Sean Stevens has been involved in analyzing the survey data since 2020.
He said the 2025 College Free Speech Ranking points to an increase in vaguely-worded policies on free speech on campus.
“I think the proliferation of ‘yellow light’ schools is maybe even a little more concerning to me, cause in the ‘red light’ schools, you know what you are getting,” he said. “Yellow is unclear to students.”
Among other indexes, universities can have three general classifications: Green, yellow, and red light. Red schools have identified policies that impose the freedom of speech.
Both Florida State University and the University of South Florida placed in the top 20.
FSU came in at No. 3, while USF – the only college in the state to drop in its rank – fell five positions from last year to No. 17. The declines were in “comfort expressing ideas” and “openness,” with 46% of students reporting self-censoring practices.
“Green doesn’t necessarily mean great,” Stevens said. “It just means there is nothing in the books that clearly threatens students’ speech and their rights.”
The survey targeted 257 colleges throughout the state and was answered by over 58,000 students. Rankings are determined by policies already in place and student answers.
To reach students for the survey, FIRE partnered with College Pulse. The platform was responsible for confirming whether the people participating were undergraduate students. It was open from Jan. 25 to June 17. The survey was not mandatory and students were given incentives, such as discounts to local businesses, for completing it, Stevens said.
Sophia Brown is the program coordinator for PEN America Florida. She said Floridians have seen a decline on their First Amendment Rights since 2021.
“It was House Bill (HB) 1, which was a significant anti-protest law,” Brown said. “PEN identifies that as ‘the beginning of the end’.”
House Bill 1 was passed in 2021. It intended to “reclassify penalty for assault,” and allow law enforcement to “respond to a riot or unlawful assembly in a specified manner based on specified circumstances.”.
Before joining PEN, Brown was a New College of Florida student. Throughout the many changes she saw there, including syllabus reforms, faculty turnover, and book bans she said it is hard to ask people about students’ rights on campus.
“All this different legislation, some directly related to higher education, some to protest, kind of cultivated this environment in Florida where free speech is really at risk,” she said. “As a recent college graduate, Florida can be really isolating for these conversations.”
In the 2025 College Free Speech Rankings, 55% of students reported the “Israeli-Palestinian” conflict is difficult to discuss on campus – with changing policies, lack of transparency, and “consistency of punishment” from administrators.
In the state, students have been suspended, expelled, and or arrested for participating in pro-Palestinian protests. The University of Florida recently denied the appeal of six students arrested at a campus demonstration.
Multiple USF students were also arrested during demonstrations in late April.
Stevens said the survey shows the trend is reflected nationwide.
Due to the spread of encampments and protests nationwide, Stevens said FIRE sent out a bonus survey on April 17, completed in 30 colleges.
Of the 4,000 students that answered the second survey, around 20% reported they had “little knowledge” of the free speech policies on campus, Stevens said. However, other students reported they didn’t know whether or not they could occupy buildings or hold signs.
“I would put this (issue) at the feet of administrators,” Stevens said. “It is their job to educate the students, make policies clear and enforce them consistently, so people know what to do.”
The post FIRE survey ranks freedom of speech on college campuses appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:Hillsborough County public schools have faced nearly two hundred school shooting threats since the deadly shooting at a high school in Georgia this month.
Top officials call it frustrating.
There have been 181 threats made in Hillsborough schools alone since September 4th.
Superintendent Van Ayres says it’s more than ever before.
“Enough is enough. These false threats against our schools have got to stop.” Ayres said.
Nine students have been arrested so far., and Chief of Emergency Management for Hillsborough schools John Newman says the threats impact all students.
“So these kids are victims, as well, of these bogus threats because they don’t know if they want to go to school. They’re telling their moms and dads ‘I’m afraid to go.’ And that’s a legitimate concern,” Newman said.
A middle schooler says she jokingly threatened her school earlier this month.
She is now facing a felony charge for a Written or Electronic Threat to Conduct a Mass Shooting.
Newman says resources are being wasted on bogus threats, but police still have to investigate them.
“So if your kid has been studying for an exam for two weeks, or has something exciting that’s going to happen in school today – some knucklehead is making a bogus threat that totally ruined the normal instructional and operation of that campus for today. How unfair is that?”
The post Hillsborough schools see record number of false threats following Georgia school shooting appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Flags to fly half-mast in honor of September 11th attackFrom sunrise to sunset today, both the U.S. and Florida’s state flags will be flown at half-staff. Governor Ron DeSantis signed a proclamation honoring the lives lost 23 years ago today when hijacked plane attacks killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania in 2001.
Florida Young Republicans pledge their support for Amendment 3Smart and Safe Florida is the committee responsible for getting Amendment Three on November’s ballot. They announced more bipartisan support for the proposed referendum, which would legalize marijuana in the state.
New information released on state park redevelopment plansNew information has been released on the attempt to develop state parks, plans Governor Ron DeSantis walked back after a week of pushback and public outcry.
Jurors in deliberation for Uhuru trialJurors in Florida will deliberate in the trial of four activists accused of illegally acting as Russian agents to help the Kremlin sow political discord and interfere in U.S. elections.
DeSantis pledges more money for nursing workforceDeSantis is pledging more money in the coming fiscal year to help grow the state’s nursing workforce. The governor says the state has already invested nearly 400 million dollars in two programs created by lawmakers in 2022 to help graduate more nurses from Florida schools.
Drivers in Hillsborough will get tickets for violating school bus laws starting tomorrowToday is the last day of the 30-day warning period for the BusPatrol student safety program in Hillsborough County.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Kiley Petracek
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /
The post The Scoop: Weds. Sept. 11th, 2024, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:The Florida Department of Education issued guidelines on a controversial new law Tuesday.
It allows volunteer chaplains in schools statewide.
The Volunteer School Chaplain Program will allow religious leaders to provide support and services to students.
The guidelines recommend clergymen have local affiliations, bachelor’s degrees, and a quote “sincere desire” to meet objectives and enhance welfare of students.
The law received pushback from the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and Democratic lawmakers – including Pinellas County State Representative Lindsay Cross.
Cross says she’s worried it blurs the line between church and state.
“Republican leadership has been so focused on telling teachers and professors what they can and can’t teach. This feels like that but on reverse – that suddenly, they’re infusing something else into our public schools, that is infringing on parent’s rights.” Cross said.
DeSantis’s communication director Bryan Griffin posted to X, formerly Twitter, the state and its department of education will quote “stand with and support school districts who implement the program.”
The post School chaplain law draws criticism after new guidelines are released appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
A state appeals court Monday said the Hillsborough County Commission did not have the authority to decide whether a tax referendum for the county school system would go on this fall’s ballot.
A three-judge panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal upheld a circuit judge’s ruling in a case filed against the county commission by the Hillsborough County School Board.
The school board in April approved asking voters in the Nov. 5 election to pass a property-tax measure that would provide additional money for the system.
But in July, the county commission claimed it had the authority to decide when the referendum would go on the ballot and indicated it could be 2026, according to Monday’s decision.
A circuit judge ruled that the school board had the authority to decide when the proposal would go before voters and that the commission’s role was ministerial in calling the election.
The appeals court agreed, pointing to a state law and saying “construing the statute as granting the county commissioners’ discretion to select the date of the election would give the county commissioners the ability to upend the school board’s authority to levy additional millage and the school board’s control over the substance” of the ballot measure. “One need only look to the facts of this case for demonstration,” said Monday’s decision shared by Judges Nelly Khouzam, Anthony Black and Suzanne Labrit. “Here, the school board exercised its tax authority and control over the substance of the measure for the ballot. That measure expressly called for the tax to be imposed from ‘July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029.’
In refusing to call the election as directed by the school board, the county commissioners have effectively overridden the school board’s decision as to the dates the tax should be imposed and its control over the language of the measure.”
The post A court backs Hillsborough Schools: its tax referendum will be on the November ballot appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
SF for August 18, 2024 8am
SF for August 18, 2024 9am
Nicole Payne, District 4 candidate for Hillsborough County Commission, stops by to remind voters of the important issues to consider in the county. affordable housing, improving infrastructure and transit are just some of the important issues facing voters. All candidates are invited to face the voter on the radio.
Activist Jarvis El-Amin talks about the recent ‘souls to the polls’ effort and expands on the issues facing voters electing people to various offices.
Annie Miles and Patro Mabili unpack the national political mood finding Democratic voters more energized and Republican voters torn by a cult-leader. How to spot a fascist? listen for the NAZI-INSPIRED anti-socialist and anti-LGBTQ code terminology.
The post Florida primary elections, national decision appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Drawn from research conducted over the course of a decade, education scholar Rachelle Winkle Wagner elevates in The Chosen We : Black Women’s Empowerment In Higher Education the experiences and oral histories of 105 accomplished, college-educated Black women who graduated between 1954 and 2014. Her findings demonstrate that maintaining connection and community among themselves – A Chosen We – has been the primary way that Black women have persevered and thrived in and beyond higher education for generations. Rachelle also uncovers the importance of the type of institutions that students attend for higher education, comparing Black women’s experiences not only by region and era but also by whether they attended a predominantly White institution (PWI) or a historically Black college or university (HBCU). The Chosen We features theoretical and methodological exemplars for how to conduct research across lines of difference. Unexpectedly, the publication of The Chosen We arrived as Kamala Harris stepped into the role of contender for President of the United States. Rachelle Winkle Wagner shares her reaction to the monumental news and the relevance to her book. It must be noted that Ms. Winkle Wagner is an adept writer, enlightening conversationalist and charmingly makes sure to give much-deserved name-checks to the “gate-keepers” without whom this important book would not have been possible.
“Multidimensional Artistic Individual” is how Clara Kent describes herself. She talks openly about her heritage; her influences and women in music with unbridled enthusiasm. Although, Clara makes it clear, life has not always been easy, but she is determined to venture forward with a refreshingly positive attitude. The Pittsburgh-based artist makes unique music and insists she is not about to be slotted into a neat, safe genre, as you’ll hear from The Four Winds: East, the first in a series of four EPs. About the first EP she says, “Part 1 of 4, a series dedicated to the healing power of the Medicine Wheel, changing seasons of life, and my personal experiences as an Afro-Indigenous woman. Join me on the journey of the Red Road”. Clara Kent knows who she is and what she believes in, she expresses herself in her art, and for that we should be grateful.
Listen to the full Conversation With Clara KenShow 549
The post Black Women’s Empowerment appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
A University of South Florida student group has been permanently expelled from all campuses.
In an administrative hearing held July 16, the Student Conduct and Ethical Development said the Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society violated the university’s student code of conduct.
The group was found responsible for five violations: aiding and abetting, disruptive conduct, failure to comply, failure to adhere to university policy and/or local ordinance, state or federal law, and weapons, firearms, or explosive devices.
Now, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, is investigating the SDS’ expulsion.
USF said the student organization’s violations occurred during pro-Palestine protests that led to multiple arrests and the tear gassing of participants.
The SDS disagrees. In a post to social media, the group said the violations stemming from demonstrations in late April are “unjust and false.”
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tampa Bay SDS (@tampabaysds)
Zach Greenberg is a First Amendment attorney with FIRE.
“We’re trying to figure out what happened here,” he said. “The group claims that they were punished for exercising their free speech rights to the First Amendment. The University says there are content-neutral justifications for this punishment, like firearms, weapons, explosive device charges, disruptive conduct, and other rules violations.”
Under the First Amendment, Greenberg said public universities cannot punish students for expressing themselves or their viewpoints. But said USF “can punish them for severely disruptive conduct or other violence or allegations that they did not comply with other university policies.”
During the demonstrations in April, students brought small wooden squares and umbrellas to use as shields while they formed a circle around a small encampment.
USF denied the group’s appeal of the decision.
The SDS has not returned a request for comment from WMNF.
The post USF permanently expels student group appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
As school starts in Florida, the AAA Auto Club has some tips on how pedestrians and drivers can stay safe on the road.
55% of Floridians drive through a school zone on their normal route, according to a survey by AAA .
During the summer people typically drive through the zones when they’re inactive and do not reduce their speed. Now that school is back in session, drivers will need to adjust their speed to be safe.
“Now it’s about kind of retraining your brain as you hit the road in the mornings and then driving home in the afternoons to, you know, anticipate pedestrians out on the sidewalks, on the crosswalks, bicyclists, just keeping that head on a swivel, constantly looking from side to side, looking for kids and being prepared to slow down and stop at a moment’s notice,” AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins said.
Drivers will also need to be cognizant of their surroundings. Some people walking in a school zone are young kids who may not understand the rules of the road yet.
It’s not just pedestrians, though. Younger drivers are more likely to be distracted while driving, which can be dangerous.
“When you insert (teen drivers) into a situation like driving through a school zone or something like that, where there are other young children present in the area, then that just creates an even higher risk that’s involved there,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins said drivers are not the only ones who need to be vigilant, pedestrians can be just as distracted.
“If you’re a pedestrian, you want to make sure you’re not looking down at your cell phone, have earbuds in your ears while you’re anywhere near traffic,” Jenkins said. “Because that’s a distraction for you, and if you’re looking down at your phone or got your buds in your ears, you might not detect a vehicle approaching you.”
The bus stop often poses a risk as well. 19% of drivers admit to going around a school bus when the stop signal is on, according to AAA’s survey.
It’s a problem that Hillsborough County is looking to address by adding cameras to school buses. These cameras use the power of artificial intelligence to keep track of those who illegally pass the bus and fine them accordingly.
“Now there’s that knowledge that these cameras exist,” said Jenkins. “Drivers are hopefully more likely to make the right choices. And for those who don’t, you know, then they might have to face the penalty for it.”
The cameras are limited to Hillsborough County, and ticketing will not begin until September 12th. Until then, Jenkins has some tips for parents on how to help their kids stay safe at the bus stop.
“I think talking to your kids about the rules of the road, you know, just encourages them to make smart decisions while they’re there. Try to avoid horseplaying and things like that. That could ultimately lead to you either tripping or running out into the street. That can be extremely dangerous and have awful consequences.”
Despite the risk, Jenkins says that busses “tend to be the safest option” for getting kids to school, according to research.
The post AAA gives tips on how to stay safe on the road during the back-to-school rush appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:School is back in session for students in the Tampa Bay area. This year, many classrooms are utilizing artificial intelligence.
A University of South Florida professor is trying to make using A.I. even easier for teachers.
USF St. Petersburg Professor Zafer Unal was curious how teachers use A.I. in the classroom.
So he conducted a study of 140 K through 12 teachers in Florida and Georgia, asking how they use it.
“We were expecting negative feelings about it, but the results that we received from the survey were totally different. They were generally open to use of the AI, and they mentioned that they use it daily for their personal tasks.”
Unal says he was worried teachers would be wary of using AI, but says they’ve embraced it.
“It’s like a calculator that you have in your classroom, nothing more. It’s a tool, nothing more than that. It’s just to make things easier for teachers and students for their daily tasks.”
That’s how he got the idea for TeacherServer. It provides free AI tools to assist teachers with planning, assessment, preparation, research, and more.
“Let’s say your not comfortable about that subject. It will teach you first, and then help you teach your students by designing the student work for tomorrow’s lesson.”
There are currently more than 61,000 users of the site. Approximately 64.8% of their users are from Florida.
Unal is applying for grants for the program. He hopes it can expand with images, video, and audio capabilities in the future. He also wants to expand the site to add resources for college and high school students in the future.
The post USF education professor creates artificial intelligence tool for K-12 teachers appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
The U.S. Presidential campaign is in full stride and the Forum fights voter suppression, misinformation and the most politically backward elements in society. Miss Annie hosts a rollicking conversation that applaud forward motion while bemoaning those who would take us back to a sinister past.
Today being Presidential Joke Day the Forum recall the funny, and not so funny, lines uttered by the POTUS.
SF August 11 8am
SF August 11 9am
The post Enough Is Enough: challenging backward politics appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
An appeals court Friday ruled that Gov. Ron DeSantis should be able to appoint a successor for a Manatee County School Board member who is running for a state House seat. A three-judge panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected arguments by James Golden that an election should be held in November for the school board seat that will be vacated by Rich Tatem. Under the state’s resign-to-run law, Tatem on May 30 submitted his resignation from the school board, effective Nov. 5, which is election day. Tatem’s term on the school board otherwise would have ended in 2026. After Tatem submitted the resignation, Golden tried to submit paperwork to run for the school board seat in November but was denied by Manatee County Supervisor of Elections James Satcher. Golden filed a lawsuit, but a circuit judge dismissed the case. The appeals court said a key issue in the dispute was a law that would require an election if the remainder of the school board term after Tatem’s resignation would be more than 28 months. Golden argued the 28 months should be calculated from the time Tatem submitted his resignation, which would require an election this year. But the appeals court ruled that the 28 months should be calculated from the effective date of Tatem’s resignation, which would not require an election this year and would allow DeSantis to appoint a successor who would serve until 2026. “The ‘resign-to-run’ law … unequivocally provides that ‘(the) office is deemed vacant upon the effective date of the resignation submitted by the official in his or her letter of resignation,’” said Friday’s decision, shared by Judges Patricia Kelly, Susan Rothstein-Youakim and Andrea Teves Smith, adding that “we hold that the remainder of the term of office should be calculated from the effective date of the resignation.” Tatem is running in Manatee County’s House District 72, which became open when former Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-Lakewood Ranch, was named president of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.
The post A court backs the appointment by Gov. DeSantis of a Manatee County School Board member appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Bomb threat in Winter ParkA theater festival in Winter Park was disrupted by a bomb threat.
11-year-old shot and killed in St. PeteAn 11-year-old boy was shot and killed in St. Pete last night.
Florida Army National Guard offers resources to people impacted by flooding in Manatee CountyRiver Flood Warnings are still in effect for many locations after heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby. The National Guard also offers resources to those impacted by the flooding.
United Faculty of Florida sues the state over tenure and arbitrationThe United Faculty of Florida, a union that represents more than 25,000 members in higher education, filed a lawsuit in federal court on Wednesday.
Anniversary of the Nagasaki bombingToday is the 79th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Tyler Oldano
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /
The post The Scoop: Fri. August 9th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
The United Faculty of Florida is a union that represents over 25,000 members in higher education.
The group filed a joint lawsuit with the Florida State University and University of Florida chapters in federal court on Wednesday.
The complaint is against the Florida Board of Governors, and the Board of Trustees at UF and FSU, and includes 41 defendants.
UFF president Teresa Hodge said the case, in part, addresses a section of a 2023 law, SB 266, that changes how professors go through the grievance process at their respective universities.
“This arbitration ban, as it were, or as I like to call it, a lack of due process for independent arbitration by a neutral third party, which has been our right, is now being infringed upon,” she said.
In the past, the third party was brought in to hear both the university’s and faculty’s points of view in the grievance process and decide how to resolve it and proceed forward.
But as it stands under the law now, if a professor has a grievance, a decision on the matter can be made by the university president without any other input.
Hodge said that conflicts with procedures defined in the union’s collective bargaining agreements with the universities. She said the UFF understands if an agreement expires, then both parties have the right to renegotiate terms.
“But they’re not doing that,” Hodge said. “They’re implementing the law, beyond the scope of what we feel they’re legally plausible to do.”
SB 266 also changes the post-tenure review process for professors in the state.
“(It’s) being micromanaged and mitigated in a way that has never been done before,” Hodge said.
ACLU of Florida Executive Director Bacardi Jackson said within the new system, professional contracts can only be renewed by a board appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“Preceding this, it’s important to put all of this in context and to see the connection of the dots,” she said. “We also saw our universities surveying as to the political parties of professors. I mean, what in the world does that have to do with being a qualified educator on a campus?”
Jackson said there has been a “death by 1,000 cuts” of academic freedom in Florida, and one of those is that professors must please the government and its appointees to continue teaching in higher education.
This is UFF’s second challenge to SB 266, according to a press release. Its first suit “seeks to prevent New College and its politically appointed leadership from enforcing the ban because it violates Florida’s state constitutional right to collectively bargain and unlawfully reneges on valid contractual promises made by the state when it signed collective bargaining agreements.”
The impacts of the law are felt “far and wide,” according to Hodge.
“We’ve had faculty resign, leave the state. We’ve had faculty take jobs in other parts of the country where they don’t have the kind of oversight we have in Florida,” she said. “And we did experience a mass exodus at one point.”
“We don’t want that drain, we don’t want the drain of the experts. We have wonderful professors, wonderful researchers, and wonderful grad assistants in this state,” she added.
Hodge said this lawsuit is fighting for UFF members to maintain academic freedom in their classrooms and keep the faculty’s voice present in their respective schools.
The post UFF files another lawsuit over a higher education state law appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Jim Saunders ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Accusing Florida of “dangerous political theater,” state and national teachers unions have urged an appeals court to side with a transgender Hillsborough County teacher who challenged a law requiring educators to use pronouns that align with their sex assigned at birth.
The Florida Education Association, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers last week filed a 47-page brief arguing that the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals should uphold a district judge’s decision that the law violated the First Amendment rights of teacher Katie Wood.
“This broad, speech-restrictive law singles out Ms. Wood and other transgender educators, prohibiting them from providing students with the personal titles and pronouns they use as a core expression of their identities in their everyday lives,” the friend-of-the-court brief said. “The First Amendment forbids such laws.”
Lawyers for the state went to the Atlanta-based appeals court in April, after Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a preliminary injunction that blocked enforcement of the 2023 law against Wood. The injunction did not apply statewide or to another plaintiff, AV Schwandes, a nonbinary teacher fired last year by Florida Virtual School, and the underlying lawsuit remains pending before Walker.
A panel of the Atlanta-based appeals court is scheduled to hear arguments Sept. 24 in Birmingham, Ala., on the Wood injunction.
The pronoun restriction was part of a series of controversial measures that Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican lawmakers have approved in recent years that focus on transgender people. For example, they have sought to prevent trans minors from receiving puberty blockers and hormone therapy to treat gender dysphoria.
The appeals-court case centers on part of the 2023 law that says a school employee “may not provide to a student his or her preferred personal title or pronouns if such preferred personal title or pronouns do not correspond to his or her sex.” The state defines sex as what was assigned at birth.
In a June brief filed at the appeals court, lawyers for the state said public school systems have the authority to regulate the speech of employees.
“The law doesn’t prohibit teachers from advocating publicly their views on usage of preferred titles and pronouns generally,” the brief said. “Nor does it prohibit teachers from providing their preferred titles or pronouns to other employees in school or from providing them to anyone outside school. But even if the law affected more than a teacher’s personal speech at work, the state’s interests in furthering its educational policies and preventing disruption outweigh the narrow subset of speech that the law regulates.”
The brief added, “Wood does not speak as a private citizen on a matter of public concern when providing to students a personal title and pronouns that do not correspond to Wood’s sex. But even if Wood did, the state’s interests outweigh Wood’s.”
But attorneys for the teachers unions rejected such arguments in their filing last week.
“Simply put, Ms. Wood — like all school employees — uses personal pronouns and titles — ‘she,’ ‘her,’ and ‘Ms.’ — to refer to herself in every aspect of her interactions with others in the workplace, just as we all do in every aspect of our lives,” the union’s brief said. “These pronouns and titles do not owe their existence to her responsibilities as a public employee.”
The brief also contended that the “mandate that transgender educators misidentify themselves is part of a broader effort in Florida to withdraw signs of inclusion in schools, including bans on inclusive symbols such as the pride flag and book bans that are easily weaponized against LGBTQ+ books and authors.”
“Laws that target the speech and viewpoints of vulnerable minority groups — based on ignorance, fear, or a desire to harm — are unconstitutional,” the unions’ brief said. “(The pronoun restriction) is such a law, and certainly not the only one Florida has enacted in recent years. Unfortunately, Florida’s public school students, families and educators are once again the ones who bear the brunt of this dangerous political theater.”
The post Teachers unions target Florida’s law forbidding some teachers from using their preferred pronouns appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:In a few weeks, school will be starting for students around the Tampa Bay area, and that means you’ll see the big yellow school bus more often.
Hillsborough County will use new technology this year to curb illegal driving behavior around school buses.
A report from 2018 found around 11,000 drivers illegally passed stopped school buses each school day in Florida.
Now Hillsborough County Public Schools are doing something about it.
The county has installed safety cameras on school buses to record and ticket motorists that illegally pass the buses while the stop arm is out.
The A-I-enabled cameras come from tech company BusPatrol.
Van Ayres is the superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools.
“The focus of this program, let me be clear, is not about ticketing drivers, it’s to change driver behavior and protect our students every day.”
Thomas St. John is a Chief Deputy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
“This initiative will hold violators accountable, change behavior over time, and ultimately make our roads safer for our children.”
The program will begin with a 30-day warning period and education campaign to remind motorists to stop for school buses.
And then on September 12, tickets will start going out.
Carlos Hernandez is a bus driver for Hillsborough Schools.
“When the stop arms are open, that’s when the kids are most vulnerable, because they’re trying to get to the bus.”
The buses were also equipped with interior cameras and panic buttons for drivers.
The post Hillsborough adds bus stop sign cameras to curb illegal passing appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Jim Saunders ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Three professors this week filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a 2023 law that revised tenure in Florida’s university system, arguing that the Legislature overstepped its authority in approving changes.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Leon County circuit court by professors from New College of Florida, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida, contends that the Legislature unconstitutionally infringed on the authority of the state university system’s Board of Governors in passing the law.
The law, in part, effectively required tenured faculty members to “undergo a comprehensive post-tenure review” every five years that includes looking at issues such as productivity, performance and research and teaching duties. Also, the law gave university presidents final say on tenure decisions, preventing disputes from going to arbitration.
The lawsuit contends that the changes remove protections for tenured professors and “replace those protections with what amounts to a five-year contract renewable at the discretion of their university’s president.” It said that can affect professors’ career opportunities and ability to obtain government grants and “imperils academic freedoms.”
“Because traditional tenure has been abolished in Florida, plaintiffs can no longer represent to the public and their peers that they are fully tenured professors,” the 20-page lawsuit said.
The tenure changes were part of a broad higher-education law (SB 266) that came amid a series of controversial efforts by Republican lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis to revamp the higher education system and curb public employee unions.
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Sarah Hernandez, a tenured professor at New College who teaches sociology classes; Steven Willis, a tenured professor at the University of Florida College of Law; and Adriana Novoa, a tenured professor at the University of South Florida who teaches social science classes. Defendants are House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast; Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, and the university system Board of Governors.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey.
The allegations in the lawsuit hinge on a 2002 constitutional amendment that created the Board of Governors to oversee the university system. Attorneys for the professors wrote that they are “challenging the Legislature’s authority to prescribe standards for tenure and administrative review, which plaintiffs maintain are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Board of Governors” under the constitutional amendment.
Part of the 2023 law said the Board of Governors “shall” adopt a regulation requiring tenured professors to undergo post-tenure reviews every five years. That revised a 2022 law that said the Board of Governors “may” adopt a regulation requiring such reviews.
After the 2022 law passed, the Board of Governors approved such a regulation in March 2023. Universities previously had post-tenure reviews, but system Chancellor Ray Rodrigues said the new process would make reviews uniform.
“This is a policy that has been well-developed and will serve the institution, will serve the system, and I believe ultimately will serve our faculty and our students well,” Rodrigues said at the time.
The lawsuit also focuses on part of the 2023 law that says “personnel actions or decisions regarding faculty, including in the areas of evaluations, promotions, tenure, discipline or termination, may not be appealed beyond the level of a university president or (the president’s) designee.” In the past, union contracts included the possibility of arbitration in tenure disputes.
Leon County Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh last month refused to dismiss a separate legal challenge to that part of the law. The United Faculty of Florida, its New College chapter and a professor, Hugo Viera-Vargas, filed the lawsuit, which alleges that doing away with the possibility of arbitration violates constitutional collective-bargaining rights and impairs existing union contracts.
The post Professors at UF, USF & New College challenge tenure changes in Florida law appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
The Students for a Democratic Society, a University of South Florida club held a protest on Saturday. About 40 protestors, including USF students and faculty shouted chants and held signs along Fowler Avenue. Demonstrators want to see USF divest from companies that support Israel and support student suspended and expelled students.
Victoria Hinckley is a member of the Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society. She was recently expelled from USF for her involvement in the April protests on the Tampa campus, acting as a leader and organizer. She spoke on Saturday about her continued support of Palestine, “They don’t want to see us fighting for Palestine and standing with the Palestinian resistance and their fight for national liberation. They are repressing us politically for speaking against their divestment in Israeli apartheid.”
Joseph Charry is an international student, who may face issues relating to his student visa. He was suspended from USF until 2025.
“We are pressuring USF so that they actually take a stand against the injustices that are happening in Palestine.”
The protest was part of a series of demonstrations across Tampa calling on university leadership to officially voice support of Palestinians.
Protesters at USF hold a “Jews against genocide” sign and a Palestine flag. By Aida Sarsenova/WMNF News (27 July 2024).Protester holds a Free Palestine flag at USF. By Aida Sarsenova/WMNF News (27 July 2024).The post Pro-Palestine protest supports suspended USF students appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Jim Turner ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Florida in recent years has held a variety of sales-tax “holidays” covering everything from hurricane supplies to theater tickets.
But many businesses get most excited about the annual tax holidays on back-to-school items.
Florida Retail Federation President and CEO Scott Shalley said Thursday the 14-day back-to-school holiday, which started Monday, closely resembles the end-of-the-year shopping season in its impact for many businesses.
“It’s the proverbial win-win-win in terms of getting our kids ready to go back to school, saving a little money on taxes and providing a little boost for retailers,” Shalley said.
During the back-to-school discount period, which will run through Aug. 11, shoppers will avoid paying sales taxes on clothes, shoes and book bags that cost $100 or less; school supplies that cost $50 or less, learning aids that cost $30 or less; and personal computers that cost $1,500 or less.
The back-to-school holiday was included in a broad tax package (HB 7073) that lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved this year. During an appearance Thursday at Mo’s Bagels & Deli in Aventura, DeSantis said the tax holiday is among several parts of the package “that are going to make a difference for folks.”
“I think it is important that we are able to provide relief for Florida families, particularly given how things have gone up so much (in prices) over the last 3 ½ years,” DeSantis said.
Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris said during the event at Mo’s that the 14 days provides time for parents to plan back-to-school buying.
“Between work schedules, kids’ activities and other responsibilities, it would be more challenging to take advantage of this if we were limited to just one weekend,” Harris said.
Florida has held back-to-school tax holidays since the late 1990s.
“It’s a legacy holiday. People look forward to it. They take advantage of it. They really take the opportunity to save,” Shalley said. “Our retailers are dialed into it. Our retailers are ready and prepared to have supplemental offerings to generate activity.”
Meanwhile, another tax holiday, what is known as the “Freedom Month” holiday, will end Wednesday. During that holiday, sales taxes aren’t collected on such things as supplies for boating, fishing and camping and tickets purchased for live music events, sporting events, fairs, festivals, theater performances and movies.
Shalley said retailers have reported “varying levels of engagement” on Freedom Month deals, but he said it will take “a little while” to determine the overall impacts.
The back-to-school holiday is projected to save shoppers $97.2 million. Freedom Month carries an estimated $91.8 million savings.
The state also will hold a tax holiday on disaster-preparedness supplies for 14 days starting Aug. 24 and a tax holiday on tools and other work equipment for seven days at the start of September.
A similar holiday on disaster-preparedness supplies was held during the first two weeks of June, around the start of hurricane season.
The post Florida’s back-to-school sales tax “holiday” has begun – here’s what you can save on appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office received a renewal on their contract from the Florida Department of Transportations, or FDOT, for High Visibility Enforcement of Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety.
The initiative’s purpose is to continue educating and enforcing safe pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist behavior in designated locations.
The efforts include reducing traffic crashes and fatalities involving pedestrians and bicyclists.
Officers will distribute educational materials and citations on road safety laws to pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists per Florida Statutes.
The term will run through May 9, 2025.
High Visibility Enforcement, or HVE, is when more officers are out and are focused on traffic safety and patrolling the areas more frequently.
The HVE details will be held at 15 locations throughout Pinellas County identified as high crash areas for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Jamie Miller is with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Miller is part of the initiative and said she hopes it will educate residents on how to be safe when out on the streets.
“The deputies that are going to be out on the High Visibility Enforcement, they will be passing out things to people they stop or pass by,” she said.
The deputies patrolling the areas will be handing out pamphlets to the people they encounter.
Miller said she doesn’t want this to seem like a tactic for officers to write more citations, but to help residents teach others about the rules on the road.
“It’s not just us trying to go out there and give out more citations and warnings, we are trying to educate pedestrians and bicyclists,” Miller said. “Bicyclists do need to follow the rules of the road by following the flow of traffic and pedestrians actually need to go against the flow of traffic.”
The initiative aims to share more information on these Florida laws, so people will know what is a violation or not and how to be safe.
Other areas Miller hopes the program will increase education on are:
- Wearing a helmet properly if 16 and younger
- Use crosswalks
- Don’t assume a car is stopping for you, always proceed with caution
- Be visible in the dark
- Know which way you are supposed to be walking or riding on the streets
- Bicyclists ride with the flow of traffic
- Pedestrians walk against the flow of traffic
Along with sharing education tips, Miller said that lights will be given out to bicyclists who ride in the dark to help make them more visible to motor vehicles.
She said that they want to help reduce fatalities and crashes and having these resources can be a step to that.
If one does not receive a physical pamphlet, an online resource with laws in place for pedestrians and bicyclists can be found here.
The post Pinellas Sheriff’s Office implements new way to bolster pedestrian and bicyclist safety appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Pinellas County Commission will discuss Rays stadium The Pinellas County Commissions will meet today to discuss plans to contribute nearly $313 million towards a new stadium.
Hillsborough School Board on why it’s suing County Commissions On Tuesday, the Hillsborough School Board voted to sue the Hillsborough County Commission for attempting to derail a proposed property tax hike helping with an increase in teacher pay.
DeSantis weighs in on lawsuitDeSantis accused Hillsborough County of mismanaging its budget.
A 7-year-old must testify about library book access in a Florida school district A federal judge will allow a Florida school board to take a shortened deposition from a 7-year-old who is among others who are accusing the board of violating the First Amendment.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Leah Burdick
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /
The post The Scoop: Thurs. July 25th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday announced that $7.2 million will go to St. Petersburg College to establish a program that will educate people to work in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries.
The award includes $3.2 million from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund program and $4 million from the Department of Education’s Workforce Development Capitalization Grant program.
DeSantis linked the effort to national security.
“So, this is something that, yes, the jobs will be good. Yes, we have an opportunity for business development. But we need to do this stuff (the work) here in the United States,” DeSantis said during an appearance at the school.
The state budget for the fiscal year that started July 1 includes $75 million for the Job Growth fund, which is designed to provide money for infrastructure projects and job-training programs.
The budget also provides $100 million for the Workforce Development Capitalization fund, which is available to school districts and state colleges.
The post St. Petersburg College gets $7.2 million for a semiconductor and AI program appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Today on MidPoint, Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Van Ayres and School Board Member Jessica Vaughn (Dist. 3) joined us to discuss the Hillsborough County Commission’s surprise decision to delay putting a referendum on the November ballot that was approved by the school board to ask the voters to increase the property tax millage to raise money to pay teachers and school staff. Commissioners instead voted to move the millage referendum to the 2026 ballot. The county commission’s vote to postpone the teacher pay referendum to 2026 was 4 to 3 along party lines, with the Republicans in the majority. Hillsborough has one of the lowest, if not the lowest, pay for teachers in the State. In our surrounding counties, teachers are paid upward of $7,000 more a year than they are in Hillsborough, largely because all of the surrounding counties have already increased their property tax millage so that they can pay their teachers more. Consequently, Hillsborough County is hemorrhaging teachers and staff to the surrounding counties. Hillsborough County currently suffers from about 500 vacant teaching positions now, about two weeks from the start of the school year. The loss of the referendum on increasing teacher pay means it is continuing to be difficult to recruit teachers for Hillsborough County. All of those teacher vacancies will translate into larger class sizes and less instructional attention for all students in the coming years.
As usual, it’s the Republicans faultThe Republican-controlled Florida legislature has been under-funding public education in favor of charter schools and vouchers for many years. Property taxes for public schools become the only way for schools to gain any additional funding, and the funding that they do get from the county property taxes is also tightly controlled by the Legislature. So, for example, by State law the funding that schools receive from the Community Investment Tax (CIT) is limited to use for capital expenditures, like building schools and repairing air conditioning, for example; it can not be used for salaries. This year, the Hillsborough County Commission voted to put a referendum on the November ballot to approve extending the CIT, but with some significant changes affecting schools. Since the 1990’s, the CIT had allocated 25% of its revenue to the schools, but the new Republican majority commission reduced that percentage in this referendum to only 5%. As Superintendent Ayres pointed out, Hillsborough’s population has grown exponentially since the 1990’s, even more since Covid, and more schools are needed, especially in the South and East county areas. It isn’t the time to reduce the funds available to expand schools. Member Vaughn noted that the CIT was not up for renewal for another two years and the Commission did not have to put it on this year’s ballot in competition with the school board’s request for a millage increase. Because so many voters do not understand the difference between the two funding sources and the restrictions on their use, many people have challenged why there should be two referenda on the same ballot for schools. Superintendent Ayres and the school board members who support the millage increase will have to work hard to campaign for passage of their referendum if it appears on the same November ballot as the CIT referendum.
Off to the courthouse, we goYesterday, following the BOCC action, in a special meeting, the Hillsborough County School Board voted 4-3 to approve Ayres’ plan to ask a judge to order the commission to put the millage initiative for teacher pay back on the ballot in November. Immediately after the special meeting, the lawsuit was filed. A final decision in the school board’s favor must be entered before August 20 when the November ballots must be finalized for printing. At issue in the lawsuit is whether or not the county commission exceeded its authority by delaying the referendum to 2026 over the school board’s objection. Ayres and Vaughn both insist that the county commission only has the authority to follow the instructions of the school board in this regard, that directing the Supervisor of Elections whether and when to place the school board-approved referendum on the ballot is a strictly ministerial act for the commission, and, the commission lacks any power to change what the school board has approved. Member Vaughn argued that the failure of the commission to recognize their appropriate limited role in this matter was a direct attack on democracy and on the independent authority of the elected school board to put this issue before the voters.
There’s a new cell phone policy tooAlso yesterday, the school board unanimously voted out a new cell phone policy for Hillsborough County public schools. In essence, elementary school children will not be allowed access to their cell phones during the school day. High school students may be allowed access to their phones during the lunch hour. Teachers are given greater discretion to control cell phone use as disciplinary and reward tools as well. While there is some concern that some parents will remove their children from public schools in protest over this new cell phone policy limiting their telephone access to their children during the school day, Member Vaughn and Superintendent Ayres are optimistic that the benefits of the policy will outweigh most of the parents’ concerns.
The entire July 24, 2024 episode is available for on-demand listening at wmnf.org/midpoint and as a WMNF MidPoint podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
The post It’s the School Board vs the Board of County Commissioners appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
A federal judge this week backed the Escambia County School Board’s arguments that it should be able to take a deposition of a 7-year-old student who is part of a lawsuit over the board removing and restricting school library books.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Zachary Bolitho rejected a request for a protective order that would have shielded the child, identified by the initials J.N., from having to testify in a deposition.
The request was filed by the child’s mother, Ann Novakowski.
J.N. is a plaintiff in the case through her mother.
Bolitho wrote that by having a “young child serve as a plaintiff, it should have been anticipated that the young child would be required to be deposed and to ultimately testify at any trial.” He also wrote that he did not think deposing Novakowski would be an “adequate substitute” for taking testimony from the child. “Only J.N. can testify as to her thoughts, interests, desires, and efforts to access the books at issue in this case,” he wrote in the order Monday. “And those issues are critical ones in this case, especially as it relates to J.N.’s standing to bring this lawsuit.”
Nevertheless, Bolitho limited the child’s deposition to 90 minutes and said a parent could be present.
Novakowski and J.N. are part of a group of plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit alleging that the Escambia board’s decisions to remove or restrict access to numerous library books violated First Amendment rights.
Escambia County has become a battleground amid controversy in Florida and other states about school officials removing or restricting books.
The post A judge says a 7-year-old can be forced to testify about library book access in a Florida school district appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Jim Turner ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — University of Florida trustees Tuesday brought back former President Kent Fuchs to lead the school on an interim basis, after the sudden resignation of President Ben Sasse.
Fuchs, who spent about eight years as UF president, will return to the role on Aug. 1.
Sasse, who has been president less than two years, announced Thursday he will step down effective July 31 because of his wife’s health. He said he would work with Fuchs on the transition.
“I just want to offer whatever help. I’ll be able to carry water and row alongside him,” Sasse said.
Fuchs’ return was first announced in an email distributed to the university before a vote by the Board of Trustees late Tuesday afternoon. The appointment also requires approval from the state university system’s Board of Governors.
Fuchs said his role over the next year will be to ensure the university maintains its momentum and to “make sure the university’s in just great shape and prepared for that next leader.”
“I plan to lean into the job and enjoy it. And I believe that can become contagious for all of us,” Fuchs said during the brief trustees conference call. “So, it’ll be a year of fun, as well as hard work.”
Fuchs, who left the presidency in early 2023, came to UF in 2015 after serving as provost of Cornell University. During his time as president, he was credited with helping boost UF into the top 10 of public universities in the closely watched U.S. News & World Report rankings and for guiding the university during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But Fuchs also drew controversy over issues such as a decision to prevent three political science professors from serving as expert witnesses against the state in a lawsuit over a high-profile elections law. The university ultimately walked back the decision, but not before the issue drew national media attention and a federal lawsuit in which six professors alleged a UF policy violated First Amendment rights.
After leaving the presidency, Fuchs worked as a professor in the university’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering.
Sasse left a Nebraska U.S. Senate seat to take the Gainesville job and will remain at the university as a professor.
A compensation package for Fuchs wasn’t immediately released.
Sasse’s five-year contract includes a $1 million base salary, with annual performance bonuses of up to 15 percent. He will forego a $1 million payout that would have been provided if he served the full five-year term.
Fuchs had a total compensation package of $1.4 million a year when he left the president position.
The Board of Trustees is expected to start a national search for a permanent replacement for Sasse.
The post Fuchs to return as interim UF president appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Jim Saunders ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Disputing that state policies are discriminatory and rooted in segregation, Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office has asked a federal appeals court to reject a potential class-action lawsuit about issues such as funding and programs at historically Black Florida A&M University.
Lawyers in Moody’s office filed an 85-page brief last week asking the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold a decision by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle to dismiss the lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of six Florida A&M University students.
Attorneys for the students contend that state practices involving FAMU have violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution and what is known as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As examples, they allege underfunding of FAMU and that duplications of programs with nearby Florida State University and other universities have harmed FAMU.
But the state’s brief said that now “70 years removed from segregation, Florida presumptively has met its affirmative duty to dismantle its segregative system and has not enacted policies with discriminatory intent.” It said the lawsuit ignores other factors that play into issues such as funding.
“Over the past 70 years, Florida’s population has skyrocketed from 3.5 million to over 22 million, and its university system has ballooned from three universities to 12,” the brief said. “Those dramatic shifts have brought with them a host of new considerations for legislators: What financial strategy best serves the state’s burgeoning population? What are each university’s needs? How many students do they serve? What research do they perform? How much non-state revenue do they receive? And how much funding does the state have to allocate?”
But in a May brief filed at the Atlanta-based appeals court, attorneys for the students alleged the state has “maintained discriminatory practices traceable to segregation.” The brief said, for example, that FAMU needs to have high-demand, unique academic programs to help draw a wide range of students.
“Florida has failed to create an academic identity for FAMU separate from its racialized history,” the May brief said. “That is a product of the unnecessary duplication of academic programs at other state universities, particularly geographically proximate FSU, and the failure to offer any unique, high-demand program at FAMU to attract racially diverse applicants and establish an academic identity beyond FAMU’s segregated history.”
The lawsuit, filed in 2022, names as defendants the state, the university system’s Board of Governors and system Chancellor Ray Rodrigues.
In his January decision dismissing the case, Hinkle wrote that the plaintiffs did not meet a key legal test of showing that disparities among state universities were rooted in what is known as “de jure” segregation — segregation sanctioned by law. He rejected arguments about issues such as overlaps in programs with other universities.
“The plaintiffs complain that FAMU has too few unique, high-demand programs — programs not available at any of the 11 other state universities,” Hinkle wrote. “But asked at oral argument for an example of any program FAMU is lacking — any program the plaintiffs assert FAMU does not offer today because of the prior de jure segregation or current intentional discrimination — the plaintiffs could come up with none. FSU and UF (the University of Florida) have larger student bodies than FAMU and offer more courses, but the … complaint alleges no facts that would support a finding that this is traceable to de jure segregation or intentional racial discrimination.”
The state’s brief last week echoed Hinkle’s conclusions on such issues.
“Plaintiffs contend that Florida has a policy of depriving FAMU of unique high-demand programs, which supposedly traces back to segregation,” the brief said. “But plaintiffs failed to plead any modern state effort to stunt FAMU’s curriculum. They identified not one program that FAMU has sought but was denied. And by their own count, FAMU has 34 unique programs not offered at nearby FSU, including four so-called unique high-demand programs. True, FSU has ‘five times the number of unique programs’ that FAMU has. But FSU also has almost five times the students that FAMU has.”
The post Florida denies racial discrimination against FAMU appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Dara Kam ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — A federal judge denied an effort by Escambia County school officials to be shielded from testifying about removing and restricting school library books but paved the way for them to file a revised request, pointing to a recent decision in a similar lawsuit.
Litigation in the Panhandle county has intensified amid a nationwide controversy over school districts’ moves to remove or limit access to school books and instructional materials.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Zachary Bolitho’s ruling, issued Friday, came in a case in which parents of schoolchildren, authors, the publishing company Penguin Random House and the free-speech group PEN America have challenged Escambia book removals and restrictions. The plaintiffs argue the decisions violated First Amendment rights.
Bolitho’s ruling on whether school officials would have to testify largely mirrored a decision this month by U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor in a separate lawsuit challenging Escambia school officials’ removal of the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three.” That book tells the story of two male penguins who raised a penguin chick at New York’s Central Park Zoo, and the lawsuit contends, at least in part, that the book was removed for depicting same-sex parents raising a child.
Lawyers for the school board and Superintendent Keith Leonard sought a protective order shielding the officials from being deposed in the “And Tango Makes Three” case. They raised a series of arguments that included whether the testimony would be relevant and whether school board members are shielded by a concept known as “legislative privilege.”
Winsor’s July 10 ruling denied the request, saying in part that the board sought to assert the privilege as a legislative body.
“The board members could seek to quash the subpoenas (for depositions) based on legislative privilege,” Winsor wrote. “But it is not clear the board can assert the privilege itself as grounds for a protective order, especially without a direct indication that the members wish to invoke the privilege.”
Bolitho’s decision Friday in the broader book case relied heavily on Winsor’s four-page ruling.
“Here, defendant (the Escambia school board) argues in its motion that the board acts collectively, and not as individuals. Thus, defendant says ‘(e)rrant comments by individual board members do not equate to formal board action’ and are, therefore, irrelevant,” Bolitho wrote. “But as Judge Winsor determined, the motives of individual board (members) are relevant in this case and go to ‘the factual heart of’ plaintiffs’ First Amendment claims.”
Bolitho also pointed to a part of Winsor’s ruling that addressed what is known as the “apex doctrine,” which can shield high-level officials from having to testify in lawsuits.
“The ‘apex doctrine’ does not necessarily apply when the top-level official has first-hand knowledge and may possess information that is not reasonably available from others,” Bolitho wrote.
Winsor’s ruling said board members and superintendent had “personal knowledge of relevant facts’ that would likely be ‘unavailable from other witnesses,’ which weighed heavily in favor of permitting their depositions,” Bolitho wrote.
“Here, again, the undersigned (Bolitho) agrees with Judge Winsor,” he added.
Bolitho’s ruling also laid out a road map for school officials to revise their request to be shielded from depositions, again using Winsor as a guide.
Winsor rejected the school board’s request “without prejudice to their filing a new motion.” Such a motion would include “support for asserting legislative privilege on behalf of its members as grounds for a protective order” and “affidavits from each board member confirming their intent to assert legislative privilege” and to rely on the board’s lawyers for doing so.
“The undersigned believes the same path should be taken here,” Bolitho wrote. “If the individual board members wish to assert legislative privilege, then they must do so personally. Accordingly, defendant’s motion for a protective order will be denied without prejudice to their filing of a new motion that comports with the instructions Judge Winsor issued.”
Bolitho’s ruling also came amid legal wrangling over whether a 7-year-old who is part of the broader book lawsuit should be required to be deposed by lawyers for the school board.
Attorneys for the board urged U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, who is overseeing the case, to reject a request for a protective order that would shield the child, identified by the initials J.N., from having to testify in a deposition.
The board’s attorneys said J.N. is a plaintiff through her mother, Ann Novakowski, but that the mother cannot adequately testify about the child’s efforts to check out books that have been removed or restricted.
“The child has unique knowledge about her likes and desires and, more importantly, her efforts to obtain these books from her school library,” the board’s attorneys wrote. “The board should not be required to, and indeed this court should not, rely exclusively on J.N.’s mother’s alleged recitation of what J.N. communicated to her, particularly when there are no indications that J.N. herself is incompetent to testify.”
But in the July 2 motion for a protective order, lawyers for Novakowski disputed such arguments, writing that the school board “has not articulated a meaningful distinction between the legal and factual issues they seek to establish through the testimony of J.N. and plaintiff Novakowski. Nor has the board identified a single factual or legal issue that it believes is uniquely in J.N.’s possession and on which it cannot question plaintiff Novakowski, who filed this lawsuit as a legal representative for J.N.”
The post A judge denies Escambia County school officials’ request to be shielded from testifying about removing books appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
Plaintiffs have gone to the state Supreme Court in a class-action lawsuit that alleges the University of Florida charged fees to potential and admitted students that were higher than allowed in law.
Paul Rothstein, a Gainesville attorney representing five named plaintiffs, filed a notice this week that is an initial step in asking the Supreme Court to take up the case.
The notice came after the 1st District Court of Appeal dismissed a key part of the lawsuit seeking what is known as a “declaratory judgment” that the university’s Board of Trustees violated state law by charging higher-than-allowed fees and that students were entitled to repayment of the excess amounts, according to the appeals court’s April 3 ruling.
A panel of the appeals court said the university was shielded from the claim by sovereign immunity.
The lawsuit alleges that UF charged prospective students a non-refundable application fee in excess of the allowed amount of $30 and charged admitted students a preview orientation fee in excess of the allowed amount of $35, the ruling said.
The appeals court rejected a request by UF to dismiss allegations of negligent misrepresentation and “conversion,” which generally involves improperly taking property.
The post Lawsuit over UF student fees goes to the Supreme Court appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:Candidates for four Tampa district state house seats debated at a political forum in Ybor City Friday.
For the most part, candidates stayed on their expected party lines while discussing issues like gun control, abortion, and local ordinances.
Candidates from Distrcts 63, 64, 65, and 67 gathered at the Tampa Tiger Bay Club.
Dianne Hart is the incumbent state house representative for District 63, which covers parts of Sulphur Springs, Temple Terrace and Ybor City.
“There have been shootings every single week in District 63. I believe we start with returning the age to 21 years old for gun ownership, first of all. We must do that.”
She’s running against Republican Tim Driver.
Many candidates voiced their support for social services.
In District 65 – which covers parts of South Tampa and the Westchase area – Democrat Ashley Brundage is running against Democrat Nathan Kuipers and Republican Karen Gonzales Pittman.
Brundage says working across party lines to support community organizations while in office is vital.
“I was homeless, for a year and a half, living right here in Tampa, and I was able to acquire community resources, but not because they were advertised, not because someone told me about them. I had to go and find them.”
Democrats voiced concern over the Republican supermajority in the state legislature, saying it makes it more difficult to get laws passed.
The Hillsborough County Commission blocked a millage tax to raise teacher pay from this year’s ballots on Wednesday.
The referendum would have increased property taxes, with funds going to schools.
Rico Smith is a Republican running for house District 67 – which covers parts of Thonotosassa and Pebble Creek.
“Right now we are facing record high inflation, cost of living. The last thing we should be doing right now, is looking at increasing millage rates”
Smith is running against Republican Lisette Bonano and Democratic incumbent Fentrice Driskell.
Democrat Incumbent Susan Valdes is running for District 64 – which covers parts of Town n’ Country.
She’s running against Republican Maura Cruz Lanz.
Lanz criticized the four commissioners who voted down the millage appearing on the ballot this year.
“The Republicans will say, ‘let the people decide.’ Well, here we come back home, and the same very four republicans, who are in the same mindset, dont want the people to decide.”
Hillsborough County Superintendent Van Ayres says he plans to take legal action against the commission over the vote.
The General Election is Tuesday, November 5th.
The post Candidates for Florida House talk gun control, teacher pay, and more appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Jim Turner ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Less than two years into the job, University of Florida President Ben Sasse on Thursday announced he will step down July 31 because of his wife’s health.
“My wife Melissa’s recent epilepsy diagnosis and a new batch of memory issues have been hard, but we’re facing it together,” Sasse said in a prepared statement. “Our two wonderful daughters are in college, but our youngest is just turning 13. Gator Nation needs a president who can keep charging hard, Melissa deserves a husband who can pull his weight, and my kids need a dad who can be home many more nights.”
Sasse, who left a Nebraska U.S. Senate seat to become the university’s president, will move into a teaching role. The university’s Board of Trustees will name an interim president and prepare to search for a new leader.
Mori Hosseini, chair of the Board of Trustees, said in a statement that Sasse “left a lasting impact on the university.”
“Under his leadership, UF has continued to advance on the national and international stage, benefiting our students, faculty, alumni, community and state,” Hosseini said.
Sasse was confirmed as president by the state university system’s Board of Governors in November 2022 over the objections of some students and faculty members.
Sasse’s five-year contract included a $1 million base salary, with annual performance bonuses of up to 15 percent. He will forego a $1 million payout that would have been provided if he served the full five-year term.
Sasse holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a doctorate from Yale University. Sasse also worked as a professor at the University of Texas at Austin and spent five years as president of Midland University, a small private school in Nebraska. A Republican, he was first elected to the Senate in 2014.
When he was confirmed as UF president, Sasse expressed a goal of creating an environment at the school of about 60,000 students to “live in community together” and to meet with various campus stakeholders. But he also suggested that some of the heartburn about his candidacy was sensationalized.
“There is always going to be, in a time as disrupted as ours, a sort of sensationalist tendency to take whatever an angriest moment is and pretend that it’s a representative moment. Those are not the representative moments,” Sasse said when confirmed by the board.
Sasse was hired under a then-new state law that allows presidential searches to be conducted in private. Under the law, names of finalists are made public at the end of searches.
Sasse’s selection as the lone candidate left the names of 11 other finalists undisclosed, drawing objections from many people on campus.
Sasse’s announcement Thursday came less than a week after Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson said he will step down after nearly seven years leading the state’s only historically Black public university.
Robinson’s action followed the school accepting and later rejecting a $237 million donation after questions arose about its legitimacy. The Florida A&M Board of Trustees will meet Tuesday and is expected to discuss a presidential search.
The student newspaper at UF, The Alligator, says that former president Kent Fuchs is expected to be named interim president.
Dear Gator Nation and cherished friends,
This isn’t an easy note to write but wanted to give you an update on our family. As many of you know, my wife Melissa suffered an aneurysm and series of strokes in 2007. Back then, the docs prepared us for the worst, but – in God’s…
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) July 19, 2024
UPDATE: Sasse’s predecessor, Kent Fuchs, is expected to be tapped as interim president. https://t.co/SPQAAhVSXZ
— The Alligator (@TheAlligator) July 19, 2024
The post Ben Sasse will step down as the president of the University of Florida appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Hillsborough School Board will vote on legal action to keep tax questions on the ballotA referendum that asked Hillsborough County voters to increase their property taxes to help teachers was blocked from the ballot by County commissioners yesterday.
St. Pete votes Thursday on Rays stadium and redevelopmentWith environmental concerns, the draft plan promises energy conservation by implementing solar power. The predicted cost of the project is estimated at $6.5 billion.
My Safe Florida Home funds dry upNew Applications are paused for The My Safe Florida Home program. This program provides up to $10,000 in grant money for hurricane home protection to lower insurance costs for qualified homeowners.
Hillsborough tests ballots and machinesHillsborough County’s Canvassing Board is meeting this morning to oversee what’s known as a public Logic and Accuracy Test of ballot scanners.
Largemouth bass will be called Florida bassThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced yesterday that the largemouth bass is now called the Florida Bass. It will be its own species, separated from the largemouth bass.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Leah Burdick
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /
The post The Scoop: Thurs. July 18th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
A Leon County circuit judge has rejected requests by the New College of Florida Board of Trustees and the state university system’s Board of Governors to dismiss a challenge to a 2023 law that did away with arbitration in university employment disputes.
Judge J. Lee Marsh last week allowed the lawsuit filed by the United Faculty of Florida, its New College chapter and a professor, Hugo Viera-Vargas, to move forward.
The 2023 law prevented arbitration of grievances filed by faculty members over issues such as tenure denials.
It said grievances could not be appealed beyond the level of university presidents.
The lawsuit, initially filed last year and revised in March, alleges that the law violates constitutional collective bargaining rights and impairs existing union contracts.
It said Viera-Vargas could not go to arbitration after receiving a tenure denial from New College.
The New College Board of Trustees and the university system Board of Governors, the defendants, raised a series of issues in seeking dismissal of the lawsuit.
But Marsh rejected the arguments in a seven-page decision.
“Here, plaintiffs alleged the arbitration provisions in the collective bargaining agreement were bargained-for,” Marsh wrote in one part of the decision. “This claim is more than plausible given that the collective bargaining agreement’s arbitration provisions go well beyond the requirements (of part of state law) by setting out the scope and procedures of any arbitration in detail.”
The post A challenge to a Florida higher ed law over tenure and union rights moves forward appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Jim Saunders ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — As it tries to fend off a constitutional challenge to removing and restricting school library books, the Escambia County School Board on Tuesday argued that it should be able to take a deposition of a 7-year-old student who is part of the lawsuit.
Attorneys for the board, in a 20-page court document, urged U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell to reject a request for a protective order that would shield the child, identified by the initials J.N., from having to testify in a deposition.
The document said J.N. is a plaintiff through her mother, Ann Novakowski, but that the mother cannot adequately testify about the child’s efforts to check out books that have been removed or restricted.
“The child has unique knowledge about her likes and desires and, more importantly, her efforts to obtain these books from her school library,” the board’s attorneys wrote. “The board should not be required to, and indeed this court should not, rely exclusively on J.N.’s mother’s alleged recitation of what J.N. communicated to her, particularly when there are no indications that J.N. herself is incompetent to testify.”
The document also said a deposition is needed to establish whether J.N., who recently finished first grade, has legal standing to be part of the case.
“Plaintiffs cannot bootstrap the standing of J.N.’s mother — itself disputed — onto J.N.; J.N.’s standing must sink or swim on its own,” the document said.
But in the July 2 motion for a protective order, lawyers for Novakowski disputed such arguments, writing that the school board “has not articulated a meaningful distinction between the legal and factual issues they seek to establish through the testimony of J.N. and plaintiff Novakowski. Nor has the board identified a single factual or legal issue that it believes is uniquely in J.N.’s possession and on which it cannot question plaintiff Novakowski, who filed this lawsuit as a legal representative for J.N.”
“It is unnecessary to require J.N. to undergo a deposition when her mother, who is bringing this action on J.N.’s behalf, is available to testify and when the board seeks the same testimony from her,” the motion said. “Indeed, plaintiff Novakowski brings this action on behalf of her minor child because J.N. could not file the lawsuit herself. In that context, it does not make sense that J.N. needs to be separately deposed.”
Escambia County has become a battleground amid controversy in Florida and other states about school officials removing or restricting access to books. The lawsuit, filed by parents of schoolchildren, authors, the publishing company Penguin Random House and the free-speech group PEN America, alleges that board decisions to remove or restrict numerous books violated First Amendment rights.
A separate lawsuit, meanwhile, challenges Escambia County’s removal of the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three,” which tells the story of two male penguins who raised a penguin chick at New York’s Central Park Zoo. That lawsuit contends, at least in part, that the book was targeted for depicting same-sex parents raising a child.
The motion for a protective order said the school board removed or restricted books, including “And Tango Makes Three,” that J.N. wants to check out from her school library. It also listed the books “When Aidan Became a Brother,” which involves a transgender boy, and “Uncle Bobby’s Wedding,” which involves a same-sex marriage.
The motion said deposing J.N. in the case “would accomplish little more than imposing an undue burden.”
“It would require young J.N. to devote time away from family and friends to prepare for her testimony and to face questioning by opposing counsel in deposition — an experience that is enormously difficult and stressful for adults, let alone a 7-year-old,” the motion said.
But school board attorneys argued Tuesday that the board is “entitled to defend itself against plaintiffs’ claims; doing so requires probing the veracity of the standing and credibility of the plaintiffs, which includes J.N.”
“The board is not unmoved to the realities that involve examining a minor, and that there may be some discomfort associated with this,” the board’s attorneys wrote. “However, J.N. is a named party to this suit. She, through her mother, chose to sue the board. Plaintiffs cannot use J.N.’s status as a minor and student within the Escambia County school district as a sword by which to challenge the actions of the board, only to then use her minority status as a shield to prevent either her participation in the suit she brought or the board from defending itself from plaintiffs’ claims.”
The post The Escambia School Board wants to depose a 7-year-old in its defense of a lawsuit over books it removed from school libraries appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
After university President Larry Robinson announced Friday that he will step down, the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees has scheduled a meeting next week.
The board will hold an online meeting July 23, according to information posted on its website.
As of Tuesday morning, the website did not include an agenda for the meeting.
It was not immediately clear Friday when Robinson would leave his post, but he plans to take a year sabbatical before returning to serve as a professor in FAMU’s School of the Environment, a position he held before becoming president.
Robinson has served as president since 2017.
The post FAMU trustees will meet after the school’s president announced he is stepping down appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Jim Saunders ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson announced Friday he will step down after nearly seven years leading the state’s only historically Black public university and plans to return to the faculty.
In a letter addressed to “FAMUly and Friends” that was posted online, Robinson did not detail his reasons for deciding to leave the presidency. But he described the decision as coming with “many emotions — pride, joy, gratitude, some sadness, of course, but at the same time, hope and anticipation.”
“The chance to serve our students, the state of Florida and our nation in this unique role has me more convinced than ever of the transformative power of education,” Robinson wrote in the letter. “These past few years have only strengthened my core belief in the unique power of HCBUs (historically Black colleges and universities) to shape lives and nurture critical talent that serve our families and communities. To play even a small part in this is the privilege of a lifetime.”
It was not immediately clear when Robinson will leave the presidency, with the university saying in a news release that the date will be “determined in consultation” with the school’s Board of Trustees. After taking a year-long sabbatical, Robinson plans to return to serving as a professor in FAMU’s School of the Environment, a position he held before becoming president.
Friday’s announcement came after a turbulent time at FAMU, which drew widespread attention after the school accepted — then ultimately rejected — a $237 million donation after questions arose about its legitimacy. The donation was announced at FAMU’s graduation ceremony in May, but it quickly drew skepticism and led to an investigation.
Robinson apologized to trustees during a May board meeting and said he ignored “warning signs” about the purported donation.
“I saw in this unprecedented gift the potential to serve our students and our athletic programs in ways unimaginable at that time. It would truly be transformational, I believed. I wanted it to be real and ignored the warning signs along the way. There was no personal gain, but the impact on our students and our university would have been extraordinary,” Robinson told the trustees.
In a statement Friday, trustees Chairwoman Kristin Harper praised Robinson, saying his “love for FAMU, steady leadership, and unwavering dedication to our students’ success will leave an indelible mark on this university’s history.”
Robinson became president in November 2017 after twice holding the position in interim roles. He also previously served stints as provost and vice president of academic affairs, chief executive officer and vice president for research.
Robinson’s resignation will continue widespread turnover in recent years in the top roles at state universities, with the University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of North Florida, the University of South Florida, Florida International University, Florida Gulf Coast University, New College of Florida and Florida Polytechnic University all getting new presidents. Also, Florida Atlantic University has an interim president.
The longest-serving president in the system is University of West Florida President Martha Saunders, who became president of the Pensacola school in January 2017.
The post FAMU president is stepping down appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:Students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests at the University of South Florida in April are now facing punishments from administration like suspension and expulsion.
People gathered outside the school Wednesday to object.
A few dozen protestors waved signs and chanted things like “Free Palestine!” off Fowler Avenue outside the Tampa campus.
They want to see USF show support for Palestine, and drop all charges against students who participated in April’s demonstrations – which led to multiple student conduct violations and thirteen arrests.
At one of the protests, multiple law enforcement agencies used tear gas to break up the group.
Joseph Charry is an international student at USF and was one of the organizers of those protests.
He was suspended from the university for a year, and he says that puts him at risk of deportation.
“We know we will always stand against genocide, and we will continue to fight for Palestine, no matter what charges USF brings on us!”
Icarus Jaspard is a student at USF and now faces conduct violations for his participation.
“These are false charges meant to try and push punishment onto the University of South Florida students who stand up against USF’s wishes.”
USF President Rhea Law made a statement following April’s demonstrations saying the protest was unlawful and not peaceful.
The post Activists rally after USF students face suspension, expulsion for pro-Palestine protests appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
A federal judge Wednesday rejected arguments that Escambia County School Board members and the superintendent of schools should be shielded from testifying about the removal of a school library book — but said the board can file a revised request.
U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor issued a four-page ruling after school district attorneys last month filed a motion seeking a protective order to prevent depositions of board members and Superintendent Keith Leonard in a lawsuit over the removal of the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three.”
The district raised a series of arguments, including whether the testimony would be relevant and whether school board members are shielded by a concept known as “legislative privilege.”
Winsor on Wednesday denied the motion. For example, he wrote that the board “members’ motives are not irrelevant. … Escambia says we cannot impute a single member’s motives to the whole board. True enough.
But a single member’s motives could move the needle somewhat in determining the board’s motives.
Regardless, plaintiffs seek the deposition of all members.
Evidence that all (or even most) of members had some sort of unlawful motive would move the needle much more.”
Winsor also rejected the legislative privilege claim but said the board can file a revised motion on the issue. Winsor wrote that the board in last month’s motion sought to assert the privilege as a legislative body.
“The board members could seek to quash the subpoenas (for depositions) based on legislative privilege,” Winsor wrote. “But it is not clear the board can assert the privilege itself as grounds for a protective order, especially without a direct indication that the members wish to invoke the privilege.”
The book’s co-authors, Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, and a student identified by the initials B.G. argue in the lawsuit that the removal of the book violated First Amendment rights.
“And Tango Makes Three” tells the story of two male penguins who raised a penguin chick at New York’s Central Park Zoo.
The lawsuit contends, at least in part, that it was targeted for depicting same-sex parents raising a child.
The post A judge rejects shielding for Florida school officials in the fight over a banned book appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Trump speaks to voters in DoralThousands of former President Donald Trump supporters gathered at the Trump National Doral last night to rally for the presumptive Republican nominee.
Buses in St. Petersburg are going electricWMNF’s Chris Young reports that the city received almost 28 million dollars in federal funds to make public buses electric.
Textbook authors asked to change “climate change” referencesThe Orlando Sentinel reports that public school textbook authors for Florida were told in June to change climate change references to gain approval.
Hurricane projections updated after Beryl slams into TexasColorado State University increased its storm projections for this hurricane season. The University Department of Atmospheric Science added named storms and a major hurricane to its forecast.
Christmas in July aims to provide low-cost activities for kids this summerWMNF’s Tyler Oldano reports how one non-profit works to find summer activities for kids without breaking the bank.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Leah Burdick
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /
The post The Scoop: Weds. July 10th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Dara Kam ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — In a key battleground in the larger debate about removing and restricting school books, plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the Escambia County School Board asked a federal judge this week to order officials to return to the shelves seven titles that have been off-limits for over a year.
Lawyers for a parent who is a plaintiff also asked U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell to block the school board’s attorneys from taking the deposition of “J.N.,” a 7-year-old who just completed first grade.
Attorneys for authors, a publishing company, parents and a non-profit organization filed the lawsuit last year, contending the Escambia school board violated First Amendment and equal-protection rights in removing 10 books from school-library shelves and restricting access to more than 150 others.
Wetherell in January allowed the lawsuit to proceed, rejecting motions to dismiss First Amendment claims but dismissing plaintiffs’ equal-protection allegations.
The school board has argued it has authority to decide what books should be allowed and that a 2023 law (HB 1069) that set up a process for book challenges by members of the public helps shield it from the allegations.
In a motion for a preliminary injunction filed Monday, lawyers for the plaintiffs said Escambia officials had restricted 1,031 books under the county’s review process.
As of June 27, “some 178 challenged books remain restricted, although no decision has been made about the validity of the challenge,” according to the motion.
The motion said that, while the plaintiffs believe restrictions should be lifted on all books, the request for a preliminary injunction was limited to seven books that “have not been challenged for reasons that would require their restriction pending review under the (school) board’s own policies, and should be returned to the shelves immediately, while any review and resolution of the challenges proceeds.”
The board’s restrictions and removals “have disproportionately targeted books by or about people of color and/or LGBTQ people,” the plaintiffs’ lawyers wrote.
Six of the seven books at issue include LGBTQ subject matter, while one tells the story of a Black teenager who is killed by a police officer and the impact on the teen’s friend, who witnessed the death.
In an example, a challenge to the book “Lady Midnight” flagged a passage that said: “‘Alexander Lightwood was Magnus’s boyfriend for over a decade. They could’ve gotten married under the new laws,” according to Monday’s motion.
The seven books at issue — which have been restricted for over a year — “were clearly challenged based on their positive portrayal of LGBTQ themes and other viewpoints” that challengers found objectionable, the motion said.
“For well over a year, defendant Escambia County School Board has restricted access to books in its school libraries based on nothing more than discriminatory viewpoint-based challenges by local residents who dislike the messages in those books. These restrictions violate the First Amendment and they need to end immediately,” the motion said.
Also this week, lawyers for the plaintiffs argued Wetherell should block the school board from taking the deposition of “J.N.,” daughter of plaintiff Ann Novakowski.
Novakowski “opposes the board’s request to depose J.N. as cumulative and unduly burdensome, given that the board can elicit the same information from her parent,” a motion for a protective order filed Tuesday said.
In the motion for a preliminary injunction, the plaintiffs’ lawyers argued that the only books required to be removed under the 2023 state law are those that are challenged on the basis of depicting or describing specific kinds of sexual conduct — which, the plaintiffs said, the seven books do not include.
“Notwithstanding the plain text of HB 1069, the board has apparently interpreted HB 1069 as requiring media specialists in each school to determine whether any books in the media specialist’s school’s library contain material describing or depicting sexual conduct,” the motion said.
The plaintiffs include parents, five authors, the publishing company Penguin Random House and the free speech group PEN American Center, Inc. They are represented by the legal advocacy group Protect Democracy Project and the Ballard Spahr LLP firm.
The lawsuit has played out amid controversy in Florida and other states about school officials removing or restricting access to books. As a sign of the controversy, Gov. Ron DeSantis in April signed a bill aimed at limiting book challenges filed by people who don’t have children in public schools, saying some people who filed mass objections to books made a “mockery” of the process.
The case is one of two federal lawsuits involving decisions by the Escambia County board to remove or restrict books. The other case centers on the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three.”
That book tells the story of two male penguins who raised a penguin chick at New York’s Central Park Zoo. Plaintiffs in the case, authors Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and an Escambia County third-grade student, are seeking a preliminary injunction to require restoring the book to Escambia school library shelves.
Meanwhile, three parents on June 3 filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the process laid out for challenging school-library books and instructional materials in the 2023 law unconstitutionally discriminates against parents who disagree with “the state’s favored viewpoint.”
The law “only provides a mechanism for a parent to object to the affirmative use of material; it does not provide a mechanism for a parent to object to the lack of use or discontinued use of material,” the lawsuit said.
The post Plaintiffs ask judge to order books returned to Escambia school shelves appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Jim Saunders ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — In an issue that could wind up at the Florida Supreme Court, an appeals court Wednesday ruled that two school boards are not required to reimburse State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. for medical expenses of three people injured in school-bus accidents.
A three-judge panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal ruled that the Broward County School Board and the Palm Beach School Board are shielded from having to reimburse costs paid by State Farm under the state’s no-fault, or personal-injury protection, insurance system.
But the ruling conflicted with a 2019 decision by the 2nd District Court of Appeal in a Lee County case, leading the panel Wednesday to take a step known as certifying conflict — potentially increasing the likelihood of the issue being resolved by the Supreme Court.
The ruling involved three consolidated cases — two from Broward and one from Palm Beach — involving injuries to bus drivers and a pedestrian.
In the personal-injury protection, or PIP, system, insurers pay up to $10,000 in medical expenses when people covered under their policies are injured. A brief filed last year by Broward County School Board attorneys said a 1997 law made PIP benefits available to school-bus occupants through the occupants’ insurance policies or through their families’ policies.
The three people who were injured in the Broward and Palm Beach cases were covered under State Farm policies, and the insurer argued it should receive reimbursements for medical expenses.
The appeals court, however, overturned decisions by lower-court judges and said the Broward and Palm Beach school boards did not have to pay because of sovereign immunity, which generally helps shield government agencies from lawsuits.
The ruling, written by Chief Judge Mark Klingensmith and joined by Judges Robert Gross and Alan Forst, said that in Florida, “sovereign immunity protects the state and its subdivisions from suit unless it is waived.”
“Under our court’s reading of the applicable statutes, the plain language of (part of state law) does not clearly and unequivocally waive the sovereign immunity of school boards for PIP reimbursement claims,” the ruling said, noting disagreement on the issue with the 2nd District Court of Appeal decision in the Lee County case.
One of the Broward cases involved injuries suffered in a 2019 accident by bus driver Muhammad Salehjee, with State Farm paying $9,300 for medical treatment, according to a brief filed last year by attorneys for the insurer. Similarly, the insurer said it paid $9,400 to treat injuries suffered by Palm Beach County school-bus driver Yolette Jean Bart in a 2019 accident.
The other case involved injuries suffered in 2019 by Wadny Sido, who had been a passenger on a Broward school bus and was struck after getting off the vehicle, according to court documents. Sido’s mother had a State Farm policy, and the insurer paid $10,000 in PIP benefits.
State Farm filed the lawsuits after the school boards denied reimbursement, contending the Legislature waived sovereign immunity in the 1997 law that made changes to PIP. In the brief filed last year, it pointed to the 2nd District Court of Appeal decision.
“In 2019, the Second District issued a ruling that has been binding state-wide since that time,” the insurer’s attorneys wrote. “The Florida Legislature has not taken any action in response to that ruling. If the school boards believe that the Second District misinterpreted the 1997 PIP amendments, they should raise that issue with the Legislature, not the courts.”
But the Broward school board’s attorneys disputed such arguments, saying the Legislature in 1997 sought to make PIP benefits “available to most occupants of public school buses through their own or family vehicle insurance policies, continue to exempt county school districts from incurring the cost of providing the benefits and placing the cost of the additional no fault benefits on vehicle insurers who could in turn pay for the additional costs through increased premiums.”
The post A court backs Florida school boards on bus accident PIP insurance payments appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill last month that would have allowed prisoners to qualify for in-state tuition in public colleges.
But, supporters of the bill say it’s counterproductive.
Desmond Meade is the executive director of Florida Rights Restoration Coalition.
It’s an organization that advocates for people who return to their lives after having been to prison.
“I was a person who was previously incarcerated, and part of my journey of rehabilitation, my journey of transformation, was me being able to get an education.”
Democratic state Senator Rosalind Osgood sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously in the Senate.
It would have ensured that a person, even if they are incarcerated, would remain an in-state resident and benefit from lower tuition rates.
But DeSantis said in his veto letter that the policy would be rewarding criminal activity.
Meade disagrees.
“If you believe that someone with a felony conviction can be in the White House, can be the President of the United States, the most important job in the world, then you should be supporting policies that allow people to seek gainful employment.”
This is the second time Osgood has filed the bill.
The post Advocates criticize DeSantis after veto of bill granting in-state tuition to prisoners appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Supreme Court rules absolute immunity for presidential actsFor the first time, The Supreme Court has ruled former presidents have immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts. Florida Democrats are not happy with this.
More discussion on the financial statement for abortion ballot measureThe panel will meet again on July 8 to try and agree on a financial impact statement that would appear on the ballot with the amendment.
Florida classrooms will see changes as new laws go into effectWMNF’s Tyler Oldano reports a few laws that went into effect Monday that center around education and how it could bring major changes to Florida classrooms.
Freedom Month is here, and residents won’t have to pay sales tax on many itemsFloridians will not have to pay sales tax on certain sporting and entertainment items for the entire month. The tax relief will end on July 31
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Leah Burdick
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /
The post The Scoop: Tues. July 2nd, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Jim Saunders 16 hrs ago ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Facing two lawsuits alleging they violated First Amendment rights, Escambia County School Board members and the district’s superintendent are arguing they should be shielded from testifying about decisions to remove or restrict access to school library books.
Lawyers for the school board and Superintendent Keith Leonard filed motions this month seeking protective orders to prevent them from having to give depositions in the federal lawsuits.
Attorneys for plaintiffs in one of the cases, involving the removal of the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three,” fired back in a court filing Wednesday. The filing called the request for a protective order an “untenable position.”
“Defendant’s motion attempts to shield from discovery some of the most significant evidence in this litigation: the motivations of the five board members who unlawfully removed ‘And Tango Makes Three’ from the district’s public school libraries and the superintendent who assisted the board in doing so,” the filing said.
In the motions, lawyers for the school board and Leonard pointed to issues such as a legal concept known as “legislative privilege.”
“Because the board acts as one, its individual members’ motives are not only irrelevant but protected by legislative privilege,” the motion in the “And Tango Makes Three” case said. “Florida law prohibits any private deliberations by the board — indeed, all deliberations concerning Tango occurred in the sunshine during a public meeting — and forcing the board members to testify would be irrelevant, unduly burdensome and unnecessarily cumulative.”
Escambia County has become a battleground amid controversy in Florida and other states about school officials removing or restricting access to books. “And Tango Makes Three,” for example, tells the story of two male penguins who raised a penguin chick at New York’s Central Park Zoo.
“And Tango Makes Three” co-authors Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and a student identified by the initials B.G. are challenging the removal of the book, contending, at least in part, that it was targeted for depicting same-sex parents raising a child. In April, U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor refused to dismiss their claims that the school board’s decision to remove the book violated the authors’ right to freedom of expression and the student’s right to receive information.
The other lawsuit, filed by parents of schoolchildren, authors, the publishing company Penguin Random House and the free-speech group PEN America, challenges decisions to remove or restrict access to numerous books. U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell in January rejected motions to dismiss First Amendment claims in the case.
During the past month, the plaintiffs’ attorneys in both cases served notices to take depositions of the school board members and Leonard. But lawyers for the school officials responded by filing the motions for protective orders.
The motions were similar. In addition to making the argument about legislative privilege, they cited what is known as the “apex doctrine.” That doctrine helps shield high-ranking government or business officials from testifying in lawsuits if information can be obtained in other ways.
“Each of the elected board members are constitutional officials, vested with control of the district,” identical arguments in the two motions said. “As such, they are protected from being called to provide testimony in all but the most unique circumstances. Board members, like agency or corporate heads, are the highest-ranking officials in the board and are vested with constitutional and statutory authority over the district.”
But in the filing Wednesday, attorneys for the plaintiffs in the “And Tango Makes Three” case disputed the arguments about legislative privilege and the apex doctrine.
“At best, the board is a group of part-time officials, of equal rank, who have some responsibility related to the day-to-day operation of district schools, which is not sufficient for the apex doctrine to apply,” the plaintiffs’ attorneys wrote. “The board members’ roles are best analogized to county or city commissioners, who are not considered to be ‘high-ranking’ for purposes of apex.”
Attorneys for plaintiffs in the other case had not filed a response Thursday afternoon to the motion for a protective order.
The post School officials in a Florida county seek to be shielded in a lawsuit over book bans appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
DeSantis appoints Christine Miller to Hillsborough CommissionRon DeSantis appointed Christine Miller to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners to replace Michael Owen who recently resigned to run for State House.
Suzy Lopez expands Hillsborough’s gun violence unitWMNF’s Chris Young reports Suzy Lopez is putting a renewed focus on an issue the U.S. Surgeon General is calling a “Public health crisis” after a noticeable increase in gun violence in Tampa.
Hillsborough teachers and school district agree to new termsTeachers and the school district are anticipating a tax referendum on the November ballot that could generate more money for employee pay.
Anna Paulina Luna is trying to detain Merrick GarlandAnna Paulina Luna says Attorney General Merrick Garland should be held in contempt. Earlier this year, the House committee subpoenaed Garand for an audio recording of Special Counsel Rober Hur’s interview with President Biden.
Polk County prescribed burnThere will be a 25-acre prescribed burn today within the Polk County Environmental Lands Gator Creek conservation area in northwest Polk.
DeSantis vetoes four billsThe four bills vetoed involved public records, cybersecurity liability, professional license requirements for barbers and cosmetologists, and requiring the Florida Department of Health to take steps in swimming restrictions if water quality does not meet standards.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Leah Burdick
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /
The post The Scoop: Thurs. June 27th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Anni and Tanja were joined on Monday June 24th, by Eric Fiske, Ph. D to discuss sustainability in education. Dr. Fiske is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Hillsborough Community College. His personal belief and interest in sustainability and environmentalism led him want to bring these pertinent issues to his students and to the HCC campus.
Topics discussed include:
-HCC campus Sustainability Committee for faculty and staff to promote sustainability
-how political science intersects with sustainability and environmental issues
-student projects and student-centered actions and how they can promote sustainability
-sustainability projects initiated and growing on HCC campuses (Dale Mabry, Ybor and Brandon)
-Dr. Fiske’s doctoral dissertation (regarding the 2010 Hillsborough County Transit Referendum)
-how the general public can get involved
and more….!
To learn more about Dr. Eric Fiske Ph.D and the sustainability projects and opportunities on HCC campuses, visit HCC’s website here. You can also see what’s new by checking out their instagram here.
If you love the Sustainable Living Show, tune in every Monday at 11am on WMNF 88.5fm or listen to past episodes in the archives. Find your way over to the tip jar and direct your donation to Sustainable Living to show your financial support and keep us on the air.
The post Sustainability in Education with Eric Fiske, Ph. D appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
A recent poll by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, found many Americans strongly disagree with the pro-Palestine encampments and protests happening on college campuses nationwide.
Around 1,300 people were asked 10 questions about the campus protesters’ methods.
The poll found a large majority of people want to see some form of punishment handed out to encampment participants, FIRE’s Chief Research Advisor Sean Stevens said.
But Stevens said the results were not all that surprising.
“Conservative Americans are far more likely than liberal slash progressive Americans to endorse punishment,” he said. “Moderate Americans look more like conservative Americans, but they’re not as gung-ho about it.”
Stevens said many people view the Israel-Palestine conflict as a moral issue.
And nearly two-thirds of the respondents said the protests have had no impact on their sympathies for the Palestinians.
“It’s like people whose sympathies were with Israel before the attack, have kind of hardened in that stance,” Stevens said. “And people whose sympathies are over the Palestinians have effectively done the same thing.”
Since the militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, he said there’s a broad pattern of people digging further into their beliefs.
Another poll geared more toward college students asking similar questions will be released by early September.
The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees voted to ban encampments on campus Tuesday.
The post New poll says many people oppose pro-Palestinian encampments appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Poll finds many Americans are opposed to pro-Palestine encampments on college campusesRecent polls found many Americans strongly disagree with the encampments and protests happening on campuses nationwide. 13 hundred people were asked 10 questions about campus protesters’ methods.
UCF Board of Trustees bans encampments on campusUCF Board of Trustees approved a campus-wide ban on camping along with limits to where and when protests can take place.
Federal grants will bring many improvements to Palmetto BeachWMNF Chris Young reports a new multi-million dollar project to help the Palmetto beach area.
Hillsborough School Board to vote on electronic devices ahead of new school yearA possible new policy on mobile phones and other electronic devices will begin in the new school year. School board member Jessica Vaughn talks with WMNF’s Tuesday Cafe about what the new policy might look like.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Leah Burdick
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /
The post The Scoop: Weds. June 26th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Hillsborough County Public Schools could have a new policy on mobile phones and other electronic devices before the beginning of the new school year on August 12.
The Pew Research Center found that 72% of high school teachers in the U.S. say that mobile phone distraction is a major problem in the classroom.
Electronic devices in schoolsIn July, the Hillsborough School Board is expected to discuss and vote on a new policy that will also consider the use of smartwatches, earbuds and other devices during the school day.
On Tuesday Café (25 August 2024) we spoke about this and other education issues with Hillsborough School Board member Jessica Vaughn.
“The most recent version of the policy — if people want to take a look at it before we vote on it in July — we have all our agendas online and it was included in the last agenda. So people can actually go on Board Docs from our website and look it up.
“But essentially it says that every time that a student’s in school that the device whatever device they have, that means smartwatches cell phones, if there’s any other kind of electronic device needs to be put on silent and put away in their backpacks throughout the day.
“Now, there are exceptions for that if a teacher gives you authorization to use it for instructional time or the assignment or I know that there are some schools where you can earn mobile device time as kind of part of their positive behavior reinforcement plan.
“So you can use it in those situations or if there’s a medical emergency, if you know it monitors your blood sugar and alert your family or something like that, or if it’s even built into your IEP or 504 then you can make an allowance for the electronic device.”
– Jessica Vaughn on WMNF’s Tuesday Café
Ballot question on property tax increase for teacher payOn the November 2024 ballot, Hillsborough County voters will decide whether to create a new tax on real estate to fund education. Vaughn says the revenue is projected to be about $160-180 million per year and most of it would go toward supplementing the pay of teachers and other school staff.
Other education topicsWe also discussed book bans in Florida, declining public school enrollment, school closures, artificial intelligence, armed guardians in schools, the power of Moms For Liberty on Florida school boards, vouchers, school speed zones and vaping in schools.
Myosha PowellVaughn is running for re-election. Some candidates dropped out right before the qualifying deadline and Vaughn’s only opponent is Myosha Powell. Every Hillsborough voter can vote on non-partisan school board races in the August 20 primary election.
Watch the interview here:Next week on Tuesday CaféOn July 2, we’ll speak with former State Rep. Jennifer Webb. She’s now with the Carter Center and is part of their initiative called the Sunshine State Unity Network. It aims to reduce violence, bolster the republic and restore faith in democratic institutions in Florida.
WMNF’s Tuesday CaféTuesday Café airs live weekly on WMNF beginning at 10:06 a.m. ET.
You can listen live on 88.5 FM in Tampa Bay, on wmnf.org or on the WMNF Community Radio app.
You can watch replays on TBAE Network channels at 8:00 a.m and 2:00 p.m Tuesdays on Spectrum 636, Frontier 34 and watch.tbae.net. Or on demand.
You can listen anytime on demand on wmnf.org or by subscribing to the Tuesday Café podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
https://open.spotify.com/show/311qfxLFcO8F7ZvnjgZogD – WMNF’s Tuesday Café with Seán Kinane.The post Hillsborough School Board member Jessica Vaughn on electronic devices in schools and other education issues appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Jarvis Karim El-Amin stops in to announce an epic candidate forum, voter education and registration rally coming to the Tampa Bay Community.
Expect sights of D.L. Hughley and civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump.
The Q bros. Omega Psi Phi invade the airwaves today and announce to the ounce.
A Conclave With a Purpose is about to hit the area with a focus on People Power.
Election Dates and Deadlines Hillsborough County
Listen on SPOTIFY and Facebook
The post Voting With a Purpose appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Guest editorial for WMNF News by **Philip Belcastro
My wife and I are both teachers. She teaches in Hillsborough and I teach in Pinellas. Recently we invited former and current students to a nearby coffee shop to meet up one last time and say our goodbyes before we leave Florida and move to Pennsylvania where we will continue working as professional educators in Philadelphia public schools.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with such an open invitation to an informal event, but nearly 30 of our combined students all came to say goodbye — more than I could have ever expected or hoped for. Suddenly this small coffee shop in Ybor was full of grads, recent grads, and soon-to-be grads in their teens and early twenties, all meeting and sharing stories and life updates from across Tampa Bay and Florida. It was an incredibly joyous reunion for everyone, even though we were all there to say goodbye.
As the room buzzed with enthusiastic young students, I quietly wondered to myself how many other teachers across Florida this year and in the next will be having similar goodbye parties? How many more teachers will leave the state? How many teachers will leave the profession? How many more dedicated, passionate professionals like us will say enough is enough?
Our students came from all over to say goodbye not because of our test scores, our standards-aligned lesson plans, our posted learning targets, or our evaluations. They came to see their teachers – they are going to miss real-life human beings that had an impact on their lives. We know because they tell us.
Florida has made it a priority to devalue and undermine public education by using public money to fund private schools through HB 1, by handicapping our worker’s rights and labor unions with SB 256, and by allowing extremist politics from Tallahassee to dictate in local communities and classrooms through the Individual Freedom Act. Florida pays teachers so poorly, we are now the 50th lowest paid on average in the entire nation during an inflation crisis. Professional educators with college degrees, Master’s degrees, and PhDs cannot afford to live here. And why would they? The Brain Drain has already begun. In the coming years, Florida can expect to lose even more public school teachers and professors to states where education is a priority and the profession is respected.
Public education is certainly not perfect anywhere. Florida is not the only place where chronic absenteeism is a problem, or where discipline for students is not enforced. We are not the only place where schools are underfunded, administration is overwhelmed, and the district has too many redundant positions and titles with overly inflated salaries. We are not the only place to emphasize year-round standardized testing in place of necessary social-emotional learning through music, the arts, and the humanities. Florida is not the only place to break class-size laws by eliminating standard courses and replacing them all with “elective” accelerated core classes like AP and AICE. These class sizes are not restricted though they are the only choice for students, including those in intensive reading, and ESOL. Florida is not the only place where schools have lost control over cellphones in the classroom and students routinely use them to instigate and film fights, buy and sell illegal items on campus, bully each other, and cheat on exams. Florida is not the only place where teachers are forced to automatically pass special education and non-English speaking students in efforts to boost graduation rates, pass rates, GPAs and school grades. And Florida is not the only place where teachers and administrators are asked not to speak up at school board meetings, in what is clearly a violation of ethics and trust from leadership. We’re asked not to support our students while begging for more support, and more empathy and respect.
However, we are the only place that is actively messaging, actively signaling to educators, “don’t come here, we don’t want you.” If you are teaching in Florida, leave.
I think of all those students that came out to see my wife and I. They might not be aware of all the problems with Florida’s public education, but they certainly know some of them very well. And in the moment when I thought about how many other teachers will be leaving, I knew none of that matters to the kids. Because what matters is that a person they know, who cared for them and still cares for them, a person who was kind and thoughtful and funny, creative, insightful, calming, inspiring, and a brightly shining positive adult influence is leaving.
Knowing that goodbyes like this are happening all across the state, and the country should be a national embarrassment. The deep hollowing-out of education in America should be one of our greatest shames. Money alone isn’t going to fix what is happening – it’s going to take more effort and hard work, more attention, and more time from the remaining dedicated professionals to make this work again. Teachers are not a commodity and students are not a manufactured good. There is no standardized test or data to measure the heartbreak when we say goodbye.
The post Tampa Bay area teachers ask: How many more teachers will leave Florida like we are? appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Citizens property insurance rates might go upState insurers could see their rates increase by hundreds of dollars when they renew next year. The corporation’s board of governors approved a proposed 14% rate increase overall for its policies.
Security is high for the St.Pete Pride paradeMore than 200,000 people are expected at the parade this weekend. The trans-march will kick things off at 5:30 and then the parade begins at 6 p.m.
Tropical weather systems to watchTropical storm Alberto has formed in the western Gulf of Mexico and is expected to hit landfall today. Meanwhile, forecasters at The National Hurricane Center are monitoring another disturbance near the Bahamas.
The mother of a transgender teenager involved in an investigation at a Broward high school speaks outJessica Norton was one of five employees at Monarch High School reassigned to non-school work sites. Six months later Norton says she and her family have been unfairly treated.
Ten Commandments in Louisiana schoolsMike Hempen reports that Louisiana has become the first state to require the 10 Commandments to be displayed in every public classroom.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Leah Burdick
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Thurs. June 20th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
A book about banning has itself banned by a school board in Florida“Ban This Book” by Alan Gratz has been removed from libraries in the Indian River County school district. The school board voted 3-to-2 last month.
Gov. DeSantis plans to appeal Florida youth-gender affirming careThe law was signed in 2023 that banned anyone from using state Medicaid funds for gender-affirming care. The law also bans minors from puberty blockers. DeSantis says “It is wrong to mutilate minors.”
The St.Petersburg Mayor and City Council overviewWMNF’s Meghan Bowman reports on the updated plans for the proposed new Ray stadium.
A new Florida law will wipe out all citizen-led review boards for the policeStarting July 1st, this new law will be in effect. WMNF’s Chris Young reports what that means for Tampa’s almost 10-year-old board.
Gov. DeSantis is ramping up his fundraisingDeSantis aims to defeat the ballots aimed at preserving abortion access and legalizing recreational pot.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Leah Burdick
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Thurs. June 13th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
DeSantis says $1.25 billion will go to teacher salariesDeSantis announced on Monday that the budget for next year has been set aside for teacher salaries, but Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar said that was not enough.
St.Pete Police introduce plan to reduce youth crimeTeens arrested will go through the Youth Care Program to help young felony offenders from repeating the cycle of crime.
Florida jails will receive decks of cards with pictures of victims on them Law enforcement officials have a new way to solve unsolved homicides. WMNF’s Chris Young reports that they will put victims’ faces on playing cards.
Tampa organization brings children and their fathers together with fishingWMNF’s Tyler Oldano reports how one organization wants to help fathers make new memories and connect them with vital resources.
Seán Kinane with WMNF’s Tuesday Cafe speaks with a man in GazaThe man’s wife and two daughters evacuated to Cairo. One daughter is very sick, but he is still in Gaza with his two sons.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer LEah Burdick
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Tues. June 11th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Patró Mabíli host another rip-roaring discussion.
New, wealthy arrivals to Florida seek tax breaks and demand service which drive inflation. One company provides a kind of “Uber with guns” driving service.
Also, Floridians push back against the right-wing agenda like book bans, conservative courts including supreme courts, the LGBTQ+ community at a critical time.
Listen in archives.
The post New Rich Drive Florida Inflation, Far-right Politics appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
A Ministry of Risk – Philip Berrigan’s Writings on Peace and Nonviolence Edited by Brad WolfFrom the battlefields of World War II to the front lines of peace activism, Philip Berrigan evolved from soldier to scholar, priest to political prisoner. Confronting the fundamental nature of America’s military-focused culture, Berrigantook an unyielding stance against societal evils—war, systemic racism, unchecked materialism, and the baleful presence of nuclear weapons. Imprisoned by his government and ostracized by his Church, Berrigan’s life is a courageous example of nonviolent resistance and liberation in the face of overwhelming odds. A Ministry of Risk is the definitive collection of Philip Berrigan’s writings. Authorized by the Berrigan family and arranged chronologically, these writings depict the transformation of one revolutionary soul while also providing a firsthand account of a nation grappling with its martial obsessions. Threading the vibrant fabric of history with autobiographical insights, introspective theology, and a clarion call to activism, A Ministry of Risk offers both a living manifesto of nonviolent resistance and a journal of spiritual reflection by one of the 20th century’s most prophetic voices.
Brad Wolf, former prosecutor and professor, co-founded Peace Action Network of Lancaster, PA. He coordinated the Merchants of Death War Crimes Tribunal, meant to hold U.S. weapons manufacturers accountable for the indiscriminate death and destruction their products cause. He writes for numerous publications, including The progressive, Counterpunch and Truthout amongst other venues. A Ministry of Risk is his first book.
James B. Stewart – Deep State: Trump, The FBI, And The Rule Of LawSo much has happened since he glided down the golden escalator: four years of unprecedented chaos in the White House, outrageous behavior, impeachments, court cases, trials and guilty verdicts – the seemingly never-ending drama surrounding Trump has led to what could best be described as a social numbness while the world awaits the next phase in this alarming saga. Yet, a collective memory loss appears to have become a part of everyday life in this age of dysfunction, to jog our recollections we are going to go back in time to the summer of 2020 for a conversation with author James B. Stewart**
There are questions that the Mueller report couldn’t—or wouldn’t—answer. What actually happened to instigate the Russia investigation? Did President Trump’s meddling incriminate him? There’s no mystery to what Trump thinks. He claims that the Deep State, a cabal of career bureaucrats—among them, Andrew McCabe, Lisa Page, and Peter Strzok, previously little known figures within the FBI whom he has obsessively and publicly reviled—is concerned only with protecting its own power and undermining the democratic process. Conversely, James Comey has defended the FBI as incorruptible apolitical public servants who work tirelessly to uphold the rule of law. For the first time, bestselling author James B. Stewart sifts these conflicting accounts to present a clear-eyed view of what exactly happened inside the FBI in the lead-up to the 2016 election, drawing on scores of interviews with key FBI, Department of Justice, and White House officials and voluminous transcripts, notes, and internal reports. In full detail, this is the dramatic saga of the FBI’s simultaneous investigations of both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump—the first time in American history the FBI has been thrust into the middle of both parties’ campaigns for the presidency. Stewart shows what exactly was set in motion when Trump fired Comey, triggering the appointment of Robert Mueller as an independent special counsel and causing the FBI to open a formal investigation into the president himself. And how this unprecedented event joined in ongoing combat two vital institutions of American democracy: the presidency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. At stake in this epic battle is the rule of law itself, the foundation of the U.S. Constitution. There is no room for compromise, but plenty for collateral damage. The reputations of both sides have already been harmed, perhaps irrevocably, and at great cost to American democracy. Deep State goes beyond the limits of the legally constrained Mueller report, showing how the president’s obsession with the idea of a conspiracy against him is still upending lives and sending shockwaves through both the FBI and the Department of Justice. In this world-historical struggle—Trump versus intelligence agencies—Stewart shows us in rare style what’s real and what matters now.
Show 542
The post Nonviolent Resistance. A Presidential Candidate Vs. Democracy appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
What is NIL, how has it changed college sports and why are schools under investigation?Collegiate sports, largely unchanged for more than a century, has experienced unprecedented change in less than one year. Much of that change has been centered around name, image and likeness (NIL).Amateurism has been part of the fabric of collegiate sports since the NCAA’s earliest inception. To oversimplify it: Players could not be paid to play. Student-athletes received only scholarships. But in June 2021, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled against the NCAA in NCAA v. Alston that the NCAA could not limit education-related payments to student-athletes. The NCAA then deferred to state laws on NIL — and, in states that hadn’t passed laws, the schools themselves. Two things remained verboten, per the NCAA: No pay-for-play, and no quid pro quo. Athletes weren’t supposed to receive compensation tied to performance, and recruits weren’t supposed to sign deals contingent on going to a certain school.
Article credited to By The Athletic College Football Staff
The post Fire and Ice Host Interviewed local business owner and youth coach: Mike Trigg on the education of name, image, and likeness(NIL) appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
AAA has recognized a Tampa Bay area 5th grader as the Florida School Safety Patroller of the Year.
You may recognize safety patrol students at elementary schools wearing neon green safety belts.
Sophia Cuviello of Oakstead Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes is one of thousands of students in the state who participate in the program – which teaches students lessons of leadership, responsibility, and good citizenship.
Cuviello said she joined safety patrol because she knew how much she would be able to help others.
Adding that she was happy to find out she was accepted into the program at the start of last school year.
“I remember myself saying, I was waiting for this since kindergarten,” she said.
Each year, AAA recognizes one student from each state. The nominees must submit an essay demonstrating how they’ve gone above and beyond to keep themselves and others safe.
Cuviello not only performed her safety patrol duties, she also served as a reading buddy to kindergarten students, volunteered locally, and was active in her school’s chorus program and ball hockey team.
Nationwide, over 670,000 children participate in over 35,000 schools.
The post Tampa Bay student is Florida’s AAA School Safety Patroller of the Year appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Manatee Memorial Hospital cuts funding for uninsured and low-income surgical patientsWe Care Manatee is a nonprofit organization that connects patients with financial needs to healthcare providers. The hospital recently cut ties with Good County on June 1 which was another organization that helped those who needed surgery.
St.Petersburg Police Department cracks down after teens fire pellet gunsHundreds of teens gathered downtown Saturday night and some were firing gel pellet guns. WMNF’s Chris Young reports the Police department’s response to cracking down on similar behaviors.
One Tampa organization is helping kids get back-to-school immunizationsWMNF’s Colleen Cole reports about a group providing uninsured children with free shots before the upcoming school year.
DeSantis directs over $ 7 million to rebuild shrimp dock damaged from Hurricane IanThe $7 million will go towards expanding the San Carlos Maritime Park facility to serve as an emergency location and a distribution site for shrimp boats.
Tampa Bay students win AAA School Saftey Patroller of the Year for FloridaTriple A recognized a 5th grader at the Florida School Safety Patroller of the Year. Sophia Cuviello is one of thousands of 5th graders participating in the program.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Leah Burdick
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Weds. June 5th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
The state’s largest teacher’s union said the Florida Board of Education blames teachers for what’s wrong with public schools.
Andrew Spar is president of the Florida Education Association.
He spoke in a Zoom webinar following the board meeting and said teachers are leaving “in droves” because of low pay.
“Florida right now ranks 50th in the nation in average teacher pay,” Spar said. “50th, which should be an embarrassment.”
The state leads the nation in teacher vacancies. The Florida Department of Education projects educator shortages for the 2024-25 school year to be 9,827 positions.
FLDOE adds that this total represents “a significant over projection.” Last year almost 9,000 vacancies were projected, but at the beginning of the year, there were only 4,776 vacancies.
Karla Hernandez-Mats is president of the United Teachers of Dade. She said the board members are “negligent” of teachers’ and stakeholders’ needs in districts.
“They want to sit there and high-five each other and clap about things that they’re doing, but the reality is that…the state of Florida is at 50th in terms of teacher pay,” Hernandez-Mats said.
She added that the board does not want to talk about important issues like state standards in teaching AP African American History.
Mats, along with other teachers, spoke during public comment in the board meeting about the state’s Social Studies standards that say students should be taught “slaves developed skills” that could be used for “personal benefit.”
“Slavery did not benefit black people, full stop,” Mats told the board. “Slavery did not benefit black people, full stop.”
Her comments came before the board approved an amendment to add classroom instruction on the September 11th attacks and Asian American Pacific Islanders contributions to society – which board chair Ben Gibson said was an important addition to teaching standards in the state.
“We all remember where we were on 9/11, our students do not because they were not born,” Gibson said.
He added the importance of passing the “lived experiences” and history on to students about the September 11th attacks.
Katie Blankenship, the executive director of PEN America Florida, said while she does applaud those additions the board approved, she still has concerns with the African American standards.
“To insist that there are benefits to slavery is to teach a warped history to our students,” she said.
“You have spent significant time today talking about the importance of learning from our history,” Blankenship added. “Of learning from times where state action has harmed us drastically.”
The post Florida teachers union reacts to state’s Board of Education meeting appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
The leader of the Florida Education Association teachers union on Wednesday criticized the State Board of Education for not reversing course on a controversial history standard approved last year.
The board, meeting in Miami, signed off on some changes to social studies standards for public schools. But the changes did not revise a sixth-grade African American history standard that drew backlash because of a slavery-related issue when it was approved last summer.
The backlash centered on a standard that says, “Instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.”
FEA President Andrew Spar on Wednesday criticized the standard remaining part of the larger instructional guidelines.
“That is a concern, as well as making sure that our students have a complete and honest history around both the African American experience and all experiences in our country,” Spar said.
He urged members of the board to talk with teachers across the state about the standards.
Board Vice Chair Ryan Petty argued that rules and standards approved by the board are crafted with input from educators.
“The notion that we’re not out engaged with educators and engaged with teachers in developing these rules is a false notion,” Petty said.
The post FEA criticizes Florida for keeping a history standard touting the benefits of slavery appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Ryan Dailey ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — A state voucher program that began in the 2023-2024 school year is on pace to double in size — at least — as applications roll in from families who educate children at home and are seeking funds to make a range of purchases.
What’s known as the Personalized Education Program provides voucher funds to students who are not enrolled full-time at public or private schools. The program was established through a 2023 law (HB 1) that massively expanded the state’s voucher programs.
The law allowed for the Personalized Education Program to provide vouchers for 20,000 students in its inaugural year, and the program almost hit its cap, with vouchers for 19,514 students funded.
The program is allowed to grow by 40,000 students a year under the law, meaning the maximum capacity would grow in the 2024-2025 school year to 60,000 students.
As of Thursday, 39,690 applications had been submitted for the coming school year, and 31,991 vouchers had been awarded — with months to go for applications to come in, potentially increasing the number toward the maximum of 60,000.
Step Up for Students, an organization that administers vouchers for the state, will continue to accept applications through the beginning of the school year. More applications come in every day.
Scott Kent, director of media and strategic communications for Step Up for Students, said in an email to The News Service of Florida that not every scholarship that gets awarded ultimately results in money being used. That means the final number of PEP vouchers funded next school year will not become clear for months.
“As with every scholarship program, not every student who is awarded a scholarship uses it,” Kent said.
Money from the Personalized Education Program can be used to purchase such things as instructional materials, virtual education courses, tutoring and contracted services at public schools. It is provided to students through what are known as education savings accounts.
Money for the PEP vouchers comes from the longstanding Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program, which provides tax credits to businesses that contribute money for vouchers. Voucher amounts typically range from about $7,000 to $9,000 per student, depending on what counties they live in.
But a notice on the Step Up for Students website said 2024-2025 award amounts will not be finalized until after Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a state budget for the fiscal year that will start July 1. As of Tuesday morning, the Legislature had not formally sent the budget to DeSantis.
A fact sheet on the Florida Department of Education website describes PEP recipients as part of a broader home-education population. It says the PEP program “was created to serve Florida’s home education population who would like access to an education saving account to fund their student’s learning.”
Families whose students receive PEP vouchers have to follow various requirements, such as submitting “student learning plans” each year to Step Up for Students. Parents develop the plans to guide instruction for students and to address needed services, according to the Department of Education fact sheet.
Meanwhile, the overall number of home-schooled students has more than doubled in Florida during the past decade.
DeSantis on Friday posted information on social media that said 77,000 Florida students were homeschooled 10 years ago, compared to 155,000 home-schooled students in 2023.
DeSantis also spoke Thursday at the Florida Homeschool Convention in Orlando, where he touted Florida as the “number one state for home-school in all of these United States.”
“When you think about education and your kids, as a parent, the kids are in many ways an open book. And do you want to turn them over for eight hours a day to some indoctrination factory? Of course not. And so you want to be able to have choice to be able to direct the education and upbringing of your kids,” DeSantis said.
The post Florida more than doubles the amount of vouchers for homeschooling appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Judge Blocks Florida Immigration LawA federal judge temporarily blocked the enforcement of a Florida law that makes it a felony to transport immigrants without permanent legal status into the state. Jude Roy Altman blocked the law saying that plaintiffs would suffer due to family separation.
Lakeland activists want police accountabilityThe state attorney’s office dropped all charges against a Lakeland man who was beaten while he was being arrested. WMNF’s Chris Young reports activists want those involved to be arrested.
Education unions face recertification challengesNew Florida law requires public sector unions to meet a rate of 60% dues-paying members. WMNF’s Jimmy Rosilio reports, that education unions feel targeted as they fight for recertification.
Pasco County Schools offer free summer mealsWMNF’s Colleen Cole reports that Pasco County Schools will provide students with free meals this summer.
Lawsuit to reinstate Monique Worell is dismissedA federal judge dismissed a lawsuit where two voters and the group Florida Rising Together, challenged Gov. Ron DeSantis’ suspension of Orlando-area State Attorney Monique Worrell. District Judge ruled that the plaintiffs did not have legal standing to pursue the lawsuit.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Leah Burdick
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Thur. May 23th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Sarasota School Board public comments to Bridget ZieglerBridge Ziegler was a target during a Sarasota School Board meeting yesterday about how she exhibited “predatory behavior.” These comments come from the details about Ziegler and her husband’s hunt for sexual partners at bars, which was released last week.
Pro-Palestine rally at Tampa courthouse demanding charges to be droppedUSF’s pro-Palestine demonstration resulted in 13 arrests last month. WMNF Chris Young reports about the rally outside the Tampa courthouse demanding charges be dropped.
Citizens Property Insurance numbersCitizens Property Insurance policies topped 1.2 million last week. The number will likely decrease as customers move to private insurers.
FSU Lawsuit with ACCFlorida State University’s lawsuit against the Atlantic Coast Conference is scheduled for a daylong hearing next month. The lawsuit is centered on media rights and could end with FSU leaving the athletic conference.
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis was humbled by speculation of a gubernatorial run38% of nearly 400 Floridians would choose Casey DeSantis to run against US representative Matt Gaetz.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Leah Burdick
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Wed. May 22th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Teen arrested for bringing gun to schoolA 10th grader at Gibbs High School was charged with having a gun on campus yesterday. The boy will be charged with possession of a firearm on school property.
Wetlands PermittingAn appeal court refused to put on hold a U.S. district judge ruling in a battle about permits for projects that affect Florida wetlands. The court rejected arguments by the state and business groups. The three-judge panel said that Florida had not satisfied the requirements for a stay.
Schools celebrate federal fundsHillsborough County Public Schools celebrated a large investment of federal and community funding earlier today. WMNF Jimmy Rosilio reports the money will go into trade career programs.
2,500 COVID-19 deaths in Florida this yearFlorida reported over 2,500 deaths related to COVID-19 this year according to the Department of Health website. These numbers have gone down compared to the last four years.
Transgender teacher wins a legal battleIn April a federal judge ruled that a transgender Hillsborough County teacher can use her preferred pronouns. WMNF’s Chris Young reports that the teacher considers this a win.
Do age limits violate strippers’ rights?Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill last week preventing strippers under age 21 from performing in adult-environment establishments across Florida. In July, people under 21 will not be able to work as exotic dancers and will be charged with second-degree felony if establishments continue to do so.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Leah Burdick
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Tues. May 21th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:
US Congress member Kathy Castor announced $2 million of grant money for Hillsborough County Public Schools at the Bowers/Whitley Building Construction Academy.
The money comes from two grants: federal funds from this year and a community project fund from last year. Castor said Tampa seeks out and encourages students to pursue these high-skill careers.
“Hillsborough County Schools works with local employers and stakeholders to determine the industries where we need to train young people. What are the areas of labor that we need across the Tampa Bay area? Certainly, everyone knows that’s in construction and medical right now,” Castor said.
The investment assists the Bowers/Whitley program and the D.W. Waters Medical Academy. Kenneth Waite, the plumbing and construction technology teacher at Bowers/Whitley, said these grants are a much-needed lift to the program.
“I’ve been with the district 10 years and they’ve always struggled with money. They give us what they can, but a lot of stuff had to come through donations,” said Waite. “With these funds, we can buy what we need.”
The award will go towards obtaining supplies, completing construction projects, and installing solar roofs.
The post Hillsborough County Public Schools receives $2 million appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
The Emancipation Proclamation was officially read in Florida on this day in 1865.
Progress is always under threat from the extreme right wing. Florida schools are resegregating, policies against voting rights, efforts to combat global warming are threatened, reproductive rights, human rights in general.
Listen in archives.
The post Florida Emancipation Day: backward motion appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:In April, a federal judge ruled that a transgender Hillsborough County teacher can use her preferred pronouns. The teacher considers this a win in a state that some may consider hostile to LGBTQ educators.
Katie Wood has been teaching in her hometown of Ruskin for the last 3 years.
“I went to college at USF, got my degree in math education, and I actually started teaching at my high school, Lennard High School, shoutout, that I graduated from.”
Wood is a transgender women, and says she felt singled out after a 2023 Florida law.
“Me, and my faculty and staff – we were told by new Hillsborough County policy and law that transgender teachers were unable to go by their ‘incorrect’ pronouns, meaning that I won’t be able to call myself she/her.”
She was given the option to use the titles Mr., Coach, or teacher. None of which fit for her.
“And even kids don’t even understand the nuances of that. So they’re like ‘teacher? What? What? Yes you’re teacher that’s what you’re here for’ and it was just many kids being like, what does that even mean?’
So in December 2023 she sued. Wood and her lawyers said the law violates her first amendment rights and went against a federal civil rights law. She said it was a long fight, and even considered leaving the state – but didn’t.
“If I can stay and fight the good fight, I have the responsibility to do that.”
And she scored a victory. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker said the law violates Wood’s First Amendment right.
“We won our preliminary injunction, meaning for the duration of the case. What was it- a couple weeks ago I’m now able to go back to being Ms. Wood and calling myself she her.”
The decision does not apply statewide. Last month, the State appealed the ruling. A member of Wood’s legal team says the appeal is expected to be heard in the second half of the year.
The post Transgender Hillsborough teacher can use preferred pronouns, federal judge says appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
“It’s incredible the amount of hate I have received from people who haven’t even read my piece” Agustin Fuentes on the extraordinary response to his recent essay for Scientific American titled, “Here’s Why Human Sex Is Not Binary”. The esteemed anthropologist is keen to point out that although his headline might sound provocative to naysayers if they only took the short amount of time it takes to read his essay they would quickly discover he is articulating reasonable and valid opinions. “Let me be clear,” he writes, “I am not arguing that differences in sex biology do not matter. They do.” Agustin considers the outrage over his words is the result of ignorance. Willful ignorance. We live in a world now where not just lies make headlines but deliberate misinformation is accepted as truth. Questions about sexuality have always been easy targets for the self-appointed morality police to shake their fists at. In the last few years, their fervent rage has managed to bundle the restrictions on women’s bodily autonomy and target transgender, transsexuality, drag shows, and queerness into one big splodgy goo of disgust. “Sex is confusing,” says Agustin Fuentes who discusses his essay in the first half of the show.
Remember the jubilant celebrations when the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples in the United States, have the same legal right to marry as different-sex couples. That was in 2015. Here we are in 2023 and the indignation over same-sex marriage has been overshadowed by transphobia causing hysteria about gender identity and sexuality. In the second half of the show a conversation recorded just after the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling with associate professor of Ancient Roman History, Julie Langford.
Download the Podcast hereShow 506
Illustration: Gender sexuality sex symbols – AnonMoos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The post Sex Is Confusing. appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Ms. Odom, owner of Sula Too publishing company, is located, in the Ersula’s History Shop, at 1421 Tampa Park Plaza Street, Tampa Street, Florida 33605, contact number 813.200.8878. Please, call first due to demands outside of the business location.
Ms. Odom conducts history tours: readings, and sales of artifacts, books, and print-rich materials from the past.
Please, stop by.
The post Fire and Ice: The story of Ersula Odom, trailblazing black business owner of Sula Too appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
A federal lawsuit filed Wednesday challenges the constitutionality of decisions by Nassau County school officials to remove or restrict access to library books, including the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three.”
Attorneys for the co-authors of “And Tango Makes Three,” parents and students filed the lawsuit in the federal Middle District of Florida, alleging violations of the First Amendment and Florida public meetings laws.
The lawsuit came as Escambia County faces a separate federal court challenge to its decision to remove “And Tango Makes Three,” which tells the story of two male penguins who raised a penguin chick at New York’s Central Park Zoo.
The book’s co-authors, Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, also are plaintiffs in the Escambia case.
Wednesday’s lawsuit alleges that Nassau County school officials removed “And Tango Makes Three” in fall 2023 after a request from the conservative group Citizens Defending Freedom.
The lawsuit said Nassau County indicated it removed the book because it was “weeding” books that had been rarely checked out.
But attorneys for the plaintiffs disputed that explanation and said the removal stemmed from anti-LGBTQ bias.
“Defendants had no statutory, pedagogical or logical basis to remove Tango from the district’s public school libraries,” the lawsuit said. “Rather, the circumstances surrounding defendants’ unlawful removal of Tango establish that they made that decision for a single, unconstitutional reason: their disagreement with the book’s content and viewpoint in violation of the plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights.”
The lawsuit said the school district removed or restricted 36 books after receiving challenges.
It alleges that officials made decisions outside of public meetings, in violation of state laws.
The Nassau County case was filed a day after U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor sent the Escambia County case to mediation and scheduled a March 4, 2025, trial date.
The post Another Florida school district is sued over its removal of the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three” appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
An Alabama federal judge will hear arguments July 1 in an attempt by Florida and other Republican-led states to block a new Biden administration rule about sex-based discrimination in education programs, according to an order posted online Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon will hold a hearing in Birmingham, Ala., about a motion by Florida, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina and four other plaintiffs for a preliminary injunction against the rule, which deals with Title IX, a landmark 1972 law that bars discrimination in education programs based on sex.
The states and four organizations filed a lawsuit last month alleging, in part, that the Biden administration overstepped its legal authority in extending Title IX regulations to apply to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The lawsuit also contends that the rule, if carried out, could affect issues such as which bathrooms that transgender students can use in schools.
In announcing the rule last month, the U.S. Department of Education said the measure will “fully effectuate Title IX’s promise that no person experiences sex discrimination in federally funded education.”
The rule also has drawn other legal challenges.
For example, the conservative group Moms for Liberty on Tuesday joined Kansas, Alaska, Utah, Wyoming and three other plaintiffs in filing a lawsuit in federal court in Kansas.
The post Arguments are set for July 1 in Florida’s fight against new federal Title IX rules appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
A federal judge this week sent to mediation a lawsuit about the removal of the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three” from Escambia County school library shelves — while also scheduling a trial in 2025.
U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor issued an order Tuesday, after ruling last month that two authors and a student could pursue First Amendment claims against the Escambia County School Board.
The school board had sought dismissal of allegations by the book’s co-authors, Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, and a student identified by the initials B.G.
But Winsor refused to dismiss claims that the board violated the authors’ right to freedom of expression and the student’s right to receive information by removing the book.
Tuesday’s order required mediation to try to resolve the dispute, but Winsor also scheduled a March 4, 2025, trial date.
“And Tango Makes Three” tells the story of two male penguins who raised a penguin chick at New York’s Central Park Zoo.
The lawsuit contends that the book was targeted for “illegitimate, narrowly partisan, political reasons,” as it depicts same-sex parents raising a child.
The case has played out amid controversy in Florida and other states about school officials removing or restricting access to books.
The post A dispute over the removal of the ‘And Tango Makes Three’ book from a Florida school district’s libraries is sent to mediation appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
WMNF has earned two prestigious finalist spots at the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists (FABJ) awards, an outstanding testimony to their journalistic ability. The winners and finalists, which were unveiled in Orlando, honor WMNF’s dedication to insightful reporting and its special capacity to draw attention to important issues that are frequently missed by the mainstream press.
The first nomination, written by Tom and Janet Scherberger of the Wavemakers Show – “How a Tiny Non-Profit Startup Broke the Year’s Biggest Florida Politics Story,” provides insight into the unique path taken by a non-profit to shed light on a vital political narrative that was being misconstrued by mainstream media. This article highlights the critical role of independent media in keeping authority accountable while also delving into the nuances of Florida politics, demonstrating WMNF’s commitment to investigative journalism.
Listen to the podcast:
WMNF’s Seán Kinane and WaveMakers hosts Tom And Janet Scherberger at the FABJ Awards Ceremony in Orlando. 2024 April 20 by WMNF.The second finalist recognition, for Education Reporting, was awarded to WMNF in honor of their series “Big Changes to New College of Florida After the Governor Installed New Trustees.” This recognition demonstrates WMNF’s dedication to providing comprehensive coverage of state-wide topics about education. The series delves into how legislative state actions affect educational institutions and provides important insights into how Florida’s educational environment is shifting.
Listen to the stories by WMNF News reporters Chris Young, Seán Kinane, Ta’Leah Van Sistine and Josh Holton below:
- New College alumni and UFF push back after DeSantis appoints 6 Trustees.
- New College alumni continue to express concern, following release of Trustee Spalding’s texts.
- New College Board of Trustees denies early tenure to some faculty, extending controversy.
- New College of Florida faculty censures board of trustees.
- This New College of Florida student is transferring out of state because the school kicked them out of medically necessary housing.
The achievement of WMNF at the FABJ awards is evidence of its unrelenting commitment to quality journalism and its everlasting emphasis on informing the community. Even though it is a small volunteer-based radio, WMNF has proven it can thrive on a state scale, demonstrating the capacity of independent radios to spark important dialogues and bring about constructive conversations.
WMNF’s Seán Kinane at the FABJ Awards Ceremony in Orlando. The WMNF News team was a finalist for education reporting. 2024 April 20 by Janet Scherberger/WMNF. WMNF was established on its foundations of diversity and community involvement and has established itself in Florida’s media environment by uplifting all kinds of perspectives that may not otherwise be heard. Its win at the FABJ Awards highlights the station’s crucial function of giving voice to underrepresented groups.
WMNF’s double finislist nominations are evidence of how the station pushes the limits of conventional journalism and redefines the significance of community radios in the age of digital media. WMNF embodies the best that independent media can do, motivating people to embrace the importance of communicating to foster a more educated community through its unwavering dedication to transparency and charitable causes.
The post WMNF earns double finalist recognition at FABJ awards in Orlando appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Storms approachingFlorida is experiencing a persistent and dangerous weather pattern, with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes impacting various regions. Meteorologist Megan Borowski warns of an elevated risk for severe storms and flooding across the entire Florida peninsula, including the Tampa Bay area. A trough of low pressure, combined with a humid airmass over the Gulf of Mexico, is leading to multiple rounds of thunderstorm complexes. Residents are urged to remain weather aware, seek higher ground in case of flooding, and take shelter in sturdy buildings during severe thunderstorms or tornado warnings.
Dems push abortion amendmentDemocrats are rallying support for a November ballot measure aimed at enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution. This initiative reflects ongoing efforts to safeguard reproductive rights in Florida.
Brooksville man sentenced for clinic bombingIn 2022, Xavier Batten, a 21-year-old from Brooksville, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for firebombing a Planned Parenthood clinic in Southern California. Batten pleaded guilty in January, and the judge characterized the crime as cowardly and lacking empathy for women and their rights. Fortunately, the clinic was closed during the incident, and no injuries were reported.
Veterans mental health clinicVeterans in East Tampa now benefit from an extended range of healthcare services at the Sabal Park Clinic, thanks to a collaboration between the Tampa VA and MacDill Air Force Base 6th Medical Group. This partnership aims to improve healthcare accessibility for veterans in the region.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Kerilyn Kwiatkowski
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Tues. May 14th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Ryan Dailey ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — A dispute could be brewing between top Florida higher-education officials and the federal government over an upcoming requirement for U.S. colleges and universities to offer in-state tuition rates to students from certain Pacific islands.
The tuition breaks would apply to students from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau. The small Pacific Island nations entered into what are known as “Compacts of Free Association” with the U.S. starting in the 1980s.
The tuition change was included in a federal appropriations bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 9.
The provision about in-state tuition would apply to any public colleges or universities that receive funds under a federal law that, in part, provides payments to states to assist them in making financial aid available to students. The 2024 budget law is set to go into effect on July 1.
Under the changes, U.S. colleges and universities would be required to charge tuition to students from the islands “at a rate that is not greater than the rate charged for residents of the state in which such public institution” is located.
State university system Chancellor Ray Rodrigues raised the issue during a meeting of the system’s Board of Governors Wednesday, saying that he wanted to put the pending change “on the radar” for higher-education officials.
“This is the first time we’ve been able to find where the federal government has infringed upon state sovereignty in determining who qualifies and does not qualify for in-state tuition,” Rodrigues said.
Currently, a student or their parent or guardian must have “established and maintained legal residence in Florida for at least twelve months before the first day of the academic term” to qualify for in-state tuition, according to the state Department of Education.
Rodrigues said that he has “consulted with chancellors in other states” to ask if they were familiar with the changes or were aware of any similar federal requirements about in-state tuition.
“They were as surprised by it as we were, and they also said there were no examples that their folks could find,” he added.
The Florida chancellor also said he is exploring whether the state has legal standing to challenge the looming policy change.
“We are consulting with one of the top constitutional law firms in the nation to see if there is grounds for us to challenge this,” Rodrigues said.
The island nations’ populations collectively total around 200,000, which is less than the populations of 29 of Florida’s 67 counties. Micronesia’s population is 99,603, the Marshall Islands’ population is 82,011 and Palau’s population is 21,864, according to U.S. Census Bureau data for 2024.
The overall number of students identified as Pacific Islanders attending colleges and universities made up just 0.3 percent of people attending U.S. colleges and universities in the fall of 2022, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics. The three island nations set to get tuition breaks make up a small portion of the overall Pacific Islands.
According to the state university system’s website, Florida universities awarded 63 bachelor’s degrees to students identified as “Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander” in the 2022-23 school year — just a fraction of one percent of the 71,668 undergraduate degrees awarded to all students.
The post The Florida university system’s Chancellor balks at changes to an in-state tuition rule appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
Alleging that the state has “maintained discriminatory practices traceable to segregation,” attorneys for six Florida A&M University students have asked a federal appeals court to overturn a judge’s ruling that dismissed a potential class-action lawsuit about issues such as funding and programs at the historically Black school.
The attorneys filed a 77-page brief last week at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, after U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle dismissed the lawsuit alleging the state has discriminated against the university.
“Florida’s treatment of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, known as ‘FAMU,’ is as old as FAMU itself; it traces back to the same system of de jure segregation that created FAMU, and it is unconstitutional,” the brief said.
The lawsuit contended that state practices involving FAMU violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution and what is known as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
As an example, it alleged underfunding of FAMU and that duplications of programs with nearby Florida State University and other universities have harmed FAMU.
It contended that FAMU needs to have high-demand, unique academic programs to help draw a wide range of students.
“Florida has failed to create an academic identity for FAMU separate from its racialized history,” the appeals court brief said. “That is a product of the unnecessary duplication of academic programs at other state universities, particularly geographically proximate FSU, and the failure to offer any unique, high-demand program at FAMU to attract racially diverse applicants and establish an academic identity beyond FAMU’s segregated history.”
But in his January decision dismissing the case, Hinkle wrote that the plaintiffs did not meet a key legal test of showing that disparities among state universities were rooted in what is known as “de jure” segregation — segregation sanctioned by law.
The post The FAMU discrimination ruling is challenged appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
The Elite Factory is a gym generally for anyone and specifically for athletes who want to be disciplined and skilled while pursuing a professional career in high school, college, or professional sports industries. The Elite Factory has trained many youths their parents, and young adults through strength and agility training sessions that prepare individuals to win whether it’s MLB, football, or basketball. The competitive edge is the entire gym is equipped with the highest quality of equipment that does not damage the body while training or getting in shape. The Elite Factory trains: D1 -athletes, MLB, and football and recoveries athletes.
Services outcomes and provided:
Customized training for individuals
Motivation sessions813
Personalized coaching
Measurable outcomes-results
The Elite Factory is located on Nebraska Avenue, 1493 Tampa Park Plaza, Tampa, FL 33605
The post Fire and Ice interviewed: Richard a Black Business Owner of The Elite Factory, in the TampaBay Area appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Backroom Briefing: Weekly political notes from The News Service of FloridaBy Jim Turner ©2024 The News Service of FloridaTALLAHASSEE — Most governors would probably celebrate if U.S. News & World Report ranked their states No. 1 in the country for education.
But Gov. Ron DeSantis this week appeared to take exception to a U.S. News story outlining why Florida remained tops in the nation for education for a second year.
“You could tell that they didn’t want to admit that,” DeSantis said Tuesday during an appearance in Port Canaveral.
The story, posted Tuesday on the U.S. News website, said the “debate around education in Florida is among the most contentious in America” and pointed to controversies about policies put in place by DeSantis, Republican lawmakers and state education leaders.
“When the media says you do things that are controversial, that just means you’re doing things that they don’t like, it doesn’t mean it’s actually controversial,” DeSantis said. “What we’re doing, the vast majority of people know, is common sense. But that’s just kind of how they cloak it. But you know, maybe part of the reason we are No. 1 in education is because we’ve been willing to take on those fights and win those fights on behalf of the people of this state.”
The U.S. News story touched on controversial issues such as Florida’s restrictions on instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity and DeSantis’ attempts to influence school board elections and revamp New College of Florida.
The story said education metrics used by U.S. News “tend to focus on aspects of affordability, accessibility and achievement” and that Florida’s ranking remains “largely fueled by several stellar metrics in higher education and less so by Florida’s still fairly strong performance in the prekindergarten-through-12th grade arena.”
It added that “the data used also can lag behind more recent developments due to when it’s released by a source and to the time needed for analysis. Many education metrics are tied to the year 2022, for example, and policy shifts may take time to play out.”
PANTHER POLITICSFlorida Democrats changed some of their merch over the weekend, replacing an image of the state within the letter D of the word “Democratic” to a photo of a snarling Florida panther.
Republicans quickly pounced on the change and played off the endangered status of panthers. They said that by disassociating from the donkey symbol of the national Democratic Party, Florida Democrats owned up to being an “endangered species.”
The merchandise rollout came as the state Democratic Party held an annual weekend event at Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort in Orlando.
In directing people to the “new swag” online, Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried said in an online post, “We gave the donkey the boot. It’s time to kick ass in Florida.”
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power saw it differently, saying in a statement that “Florida Dems have finally embraced their endangered status” with the new symbol.
“If you come into contact with a Florida Democrat in the wild, whether they identify as a donkey or a panther, we urge you to notify Nikki Fried and her team immediately,” Power added.
THUMBS DOWNThough it wasn’t a surprise, the Republican Party of Florida formally announced its opposition to two November ballot proposals that would allow recreational use of marijuana and enshrine abortion rights in the state Constitution.
The decisions to oppose the proposals by the party’s Executive Board during a quarterly meeting in Orlando came after DeSantis has repeatedly lashed out against both measures.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has embraced both proposals. In part, Democrats hope the abortion measure will help drive voters to support Democratic candidates. The party’s merchandise page also offers rolling paper packaged with the saying “I Roll With Florida Dems.”
In all, voters will consider six proposed constitutional amendments in November. The others would enshrine the right to hunt and fish in the Constitution; require partisan elections of school board members; increase homestead property-tax exemptions; and repeal public campaign financing.
SOCIAL MEDIA POST OF THE WEEK“At UF press conference, over shouts of protesters, Florida’s top higher education official warns, ‘There will be no negotiations, there will be no appeasement, there will be no amnesty and there will be no divestment.’ Police arrested 9 last week, banned from campus for 3 years.” — University of Florida senior journalism lecturer Ted Bridis (@tbridis) about comments by university system Chancellor Ray Rodrigues on Wednesday.
The post No. 1 with a grudge appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Update on family of hostageA Sarasota woman’s stepson is one of many Israelis taken hostage during Hamas’ October 7 attack. WMNF’s Chris Young reports she is still seeking answers on her son’s whereabouts seven months later.
Devin Stephenson approved as Florida Poly presidentYesterday the State University System of Florida’s Board of Governors approved Dr. Devin Stephenson as Florida Polytechnic University‘s second president. WMNF’s Kerilyn Kwiatkowski reports that while the Board did not directly ask him about student protests for Palestine, they did ask Stephenson about the balance between free speech and preserving educational processes.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens will be net positive energyThe Marie Selby Botanical Gardens will generate enough solar power that it will become the first net-positive energy botanical gardens. Selby CEO Jennifer Rominiecki spoke about it yesterday on WMNF’s MidPoint.
Information from Florida Public Media, News Service of Florida, and Associated Press was used in this report.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Seán Kinane
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole, Kerilyn Kwiatkowski, Jimmy Rosilio
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Thurs., May 9, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
ListenOn Wednesday the State University System of Florida’s Board of Governors officially approved Dr. Devin Stephenson as the second president of Florida Polytechnic University. Selected from a pool of 90 applicants and five finalists, Dr. Stephenson’s appointment marks a new chapter for the institution, with a clear vision for elevating its national recognition, expanding its STEM focus, and fostering innovation.
“I am committed to leading the institution to broader national recognition for our work and to enhance our STEM focus, by expanding our academic enterprise with world-class faculty, positively impacting our student development and career preparedness, and continuing our quest to become a generator of innovation.” – Dr. Devon Stephenson
During the confirmation process, Dr. Stephenson reiterated his commitment to upholding free speech while maintaining the integrity of the educational environment. In response to questions from Governor Tim Cerio regarding his stance on free expression, Dr. Stephenson affirmed his support, emphasizing the importance of providing individuals with a platform for free speech without disrupting the academic process.
“I am certainly a proponent of free speech, but not lawlessness. I certainly believe that it’s important that we provide individuals with an environment where they can freely speak but not as a deterrent to the academic process, the educational process, or the disruption of education in any institution in the state of Florida or this nation.”
In his vision statement, Dr. Stephenson outlined his plans to enhance the university’s academic enterprise by attracting world-class faculty, supporting student development, and fostering a culture of innovation. His goals align with the university’s mission to prepare students for successful careers in the ever-evolving fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
With unanimous approval from the Board of Governors, Dr. Devin Stephenson’s tenure as president of Florida Polytechnic University is set until 2027. His leadership promises to steer the institution toward greater recognition and academic excellence.
The post Dr. Devin Stephenson approved as president of Lakeland’s Florida Polytechnic University appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered a heightened police presence on state university campuses during graduation ceremonies last week, according to a top law-enforcement official.
DeSantis on Wednesday held a press event at the University of Florida, where he and UF President Ben Sasse touted the school’s commencement ceremonies going off without interruption amid a wave of recent pro-Palestinian campus protests.
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Director Dave Kerner said campus police departments “on countless occasions” have requested the Florida Highway Patrol’s assistance.
“I answer a question that I’ve been asked pretty often, which is has the governor personally been involved in directing law enforcement and the Florida Highway Patrol to these events into these university campuses? I answer that question in the affirmative. The answer is yes,” Kerner, whose department includes the highway patrol, said.
The post Police state? Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered a heightened police presence on university campuses during graduations appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Deputy involved shootingHillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister reported a deputy-involved shooting, assuring the public that no deputies were harmed and there was no ongoing threat to safety.
Are new rules enough to protect pelicans?Last summer, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission implemented new regulations for anglers on the Sunshine Skyway Pier to prevent pelicans from getting tangled. However, according to WMNF’s Chris Young, an advocacy group claims that rules are not being upheld.
Hurricane preparedness weekMeteorologist Megan Borowski discusses the importance of understanding forecast information during hurricane preparedness week. She explains the significance of alerts for various hazards and advises focusing on local alerts rather than solely relying on the cone forecast graphic, which only shows the potential track of the storm’s center.
Congressional districts The Florida House and Senate are urging the state Supreme Court to uphold a congressional redistricting plan amid a legal battle. The plan, pushed through by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022, relocated a North Florida district to the Jacksonville area, leading to all seats being won by White Republicans in subsequent elections. Voting-rights groups argue the plan violates the Fair Districts Amendment of 2010 by diminishing minority representation.
Burn ban in Sarasota County Sarasota County has implemented a burn ban due to heightened fire risks resulting from local drought conditions. The ban covers all outdoor burning, except for permitted activities in unincorporated areas and the City of Sarasota. Exceptions include small-scale cooking on barbecue grills or pits and other authorized burns.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Kerilyn Kwiatkowski
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Tues. May 7th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Refugees in Rafah brace for invasionThe Israeli army has instructed Palestinians in the southern city of Rafah to evacuate to Muwasi, signaling a potential imminent ground invasion. This move affects over a million refugees who have fled other parts of the Gaza Strip, heightening tensions in the region.
Trump says Biden is running a Gestapo administrationDonald Trump, speaking to Republican donors at his Florida resort, labeled President Joe Biden’s administration as a “Gestapo administration,” drawing criticism for his use of Nazi Germany-related rhetoric. This isn’t the first time Trump has employed such language in his political discourse. The Biden campaign condemned Trump’s remarks, particularly on Holocaust Memorial Day, as “despicable and insulting.”
Trump’s campaign and AIBrad Parscale, the digital mastermind behind Trump’s 2016 win, now champions AI’s role in reshaping Republican campaign strategies. His company, aiding Trump’s 2024 campaign, leverages AI for personalized emails, voter sentiment analysis, identifying persuadable voters, and amplifying “anti-woke” influencers on social media.
Will the Florida National Air Guard go to U.S. Space Force?Governor DeSantis opposes the Air Force’s plan to transfer a Florida Air National Guard squadron to the Space Force, stating it needs governors’ approval and violates precedent. He’s voiced concerns to congressional committees and Defense Secretary Austin. The proposal has sparked controversy amid efforts to expand Florida’s National Guard. DeSantis emphasizes the Guard’s vital role in disaster response and other state needs.
Luther Keith Wilkins challenges Mike Beltran Democratic candidate Luther Keith Wilkins has filed to challenge Republican State Representative Mike Beltran in House District 70, covering sections of Hillsborough and Manatee counties. Beltran, who has held the position since 2018, now faces opposition in the upcoming election.
Creative teaching At A.D. Henderson School in Boca Raton, high student test scores are attributed to the creativity encouraged among teachers. Teachers have developed courses on medicine, aeronautics, and robotics, integrating art with science lessons. This focus on creativity has proven effective in enhancing student learning.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Kerilyn Kwiatkowski
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Mon. May 6th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
With arguments scheduled next month, attorneys for a graduate student urged the state Supreme Court on Wednesday to back a lawsuit about whether the University of Florida should return fees to students because of a campus shutdown early in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The potential class-action lawsuit is one of numerous similar cases that were filed in Florida and across the country.
Attorneys for UF graduate student Anthony Rojas went to the Supreme Court last year after a divided panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal said an Alachua County circuit judge should have dismissed the lawsuit, which seeks refunds of fees paid for transportation, health care and athletics services that were not provided because of the 2020 shutdown.
In a 22-page brief Wednesday, Rojas’ attorneys said the Supreme Court should overturn the appeals court ruling.
“Reduced to its core, UF’s argument is that it did not have to provide any services in exchange for the fees it charged, because UF allegedly did not specifically put in writing that it would provide services in exchange for those fees,” the brief said. “This argument defies both common sense and Florida law.”
A key issue is whether UF breached a contract with Rojas.
The appeals court’s majority opinion concluded that “assorted documents attached to the complaint do not constitute an express written contract.”
As a result, it said UF is shielded by sovereign immunity, a legal concept that generally protects government agencies from liability. Under sovereign immunity, agencies can face breach-of-contract lawsuits if it is shown that contracts have been violated.
In a January brief, attorneys for the university supported the appeals court’s conclusion about a lack of a contract.
“Petitioner’s (Rojas’) complaint alleges an ‘express’ contract for the payment of fees requiring the university to provide ‘specific on-campus services and resources,’” the UF brief said. “The university does not deny that it must provide ‘educational services’ in exchange for tuition and fees paid, but petitioner does not present any document requiring on-campus services and facilities to be provided in the Spring and Summer 2020 semesters for the fees that were paid. Thus, there is no express, written contract for in-person services and resources as petitioner demands in his complaint.”
The Supreme Court hearing is scheduled for June 5.
The post UF shutdown case will be heard at Florida Supreme Court on June 5 appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Florida is now LAST in the nation in teacher pay, according to a recent survey reported by the National Education Association! We discussed that, the State’s pre-emption of the allocation of state education funding, the Hillsborough County Community Investment Tax education allocation to capital improvements, the need for the November referendum on the ballot to raise teacher pay by increasing the millage property taxes, the drop in Florida Bright Futures scholarship awards, book bans, and much more with Jessica Vaughn, Hillsborough School Board member from District 3, North and New Tampa. Listen to the entire show here, on the WMNF app, or as a WMNF podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
The post Local Education News with Jessica Vaughn appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:The 2024 City Clean Energy Scorecard evaluates 75 major U.S. cities on clean energy efforts, including transportation initiatives. Tampa and St. Petersburg face challenges due to outdated zoning codes and insufficient data collection. WMNF’s Kerilyn Kwiatkowski reports the importance of addressing these gaps.
Recent evaluations have shown that Tampa and St. Petersburg scored below 10 out of 70 points in transportation. Stefen Samarripas, the Senior Local Policy Manager at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, stresses the importance of tackling emissions.
“Thinking about transportation emissions is going to be important because this is going to be jumping off the page if you’re looking at your emissions state. Everything from thinking about investing more in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, providing incentives for folks to get access to those vehicles, especially low-income communities.” – Stefen Samarripas
In 2023, St. Petersburg updated its zoning regulations and mandated Level 2 EV charging stations in new developments, but lags in data collection. Tampa’s zoning codes remain unchanged lacking mandates for EV charging stations.
“Updating your zoning code so you’re thinking about how development is being laid out in the city. If you’re growing a lot, think very carefully about ways in which you can incentivize folks to live near where they work.” – Stefen Samarripas
The Clean Energy Scorecard underscores the changes these cities must make as they transition to clean energy.
The post Transportation is among Tampa’s and St. Petersburg’s clean energy challenges: Insights from the 2024 scorecard appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Police arrest protesters at USF Yesterday, there was a confrontation between police and activists at the University of South Florida. Pro-Palestine demonstrators clashed with law enforcement while setting up a tent near the campus center. This incident followed a march across campus demanding an end to Israel’s attacks on Gaza and urging USF to divest from Israel.
Netanyahu will invade Rafah “with or without a deal”Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, despite ongoing cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. This move is intended to proceed whether or not a formal agreement is reached.
Disney Springs union driveA union representing Disney workers in Central Florida aiming to unionize five Disney Springs restaurants owned by the Patina Restaurant Group. Delaware North, the parent company, has expressed respect for its employees’ rights to consider union representation.
Title IXFlorida, along with three other states, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging a new Biden administration rule regarding sex-based discrimination in education programs. The rule extends Title IX regulations to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Stamkos’ last game as a Bolt?The Tampa Bay Lightning, led by Captain Steven Stamkos, were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Florida Panthers in the First Round. With Stamkos’s contract expiring, he becomes a free agent, raising speculation about his future with the team.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Kerilyn Kwiatkowski
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Tues. April 30th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Spinning fish linked to algae bloom toxinsToxic algae blooms in Florida waters from the Keys to Boynton Beach are causing fish to spin themselves to death. Scientists, led by Florida Fish & Wildlife Section Leader Caroline Gorga, are investigating the toxins involved.
UF cracks down on student protestsStudent protesters advocating for Palestine at the University of Florida now face the risk of suspension for their activities during campus protests.
DeSantis signs two billsThe first mandates disclaimers on certain political ads generated using artificial intelligence, aiming for transparency in digital campaigning. The second bill regulates vape products, addressing concerns over their use and potential health risks. Margie Menzel has the details.
Musician Noan PartlyFollowing Beyoncé’s genre-defying album release last month, WMNF’s Chris Young sheds light on a local Tampa folk artist who similarly blends genres and challenges conventional norms.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Kerilyn Kwiatkowski
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Mon. April 29, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:Florida homeowners are facing significant challenges with their insurance, leading to the highest property insurance premiums in the country. Kerilyn Kwiatkowski, reporting for WMNF, sheds light on an insurance roundtable held in Clearwater today (Thursday).
The cost of insurance can put a strain on homeowners’ finances, particularly those with fixed incomes. Tasha Carter, the Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate, raises concerns about the “affordability, availability, and reliability of homeowners insurance.” Gia Arvin, president of Florida Realtors, shares worries about the affordability of property insurance impacting real estate transactions. “Homeowners are very anxious still. It’s making or breaking real estate deals—it used to be to see if they could get a mortgage, but now just as important is if they can get insurance,” Finding solutions to make insurance more affordable and accessible is crucial.
The post Navigating Florida’s home insurance challenges: Insights from a Clearwater roundtable appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Ryan Dailey ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees this week could potentially approve a contract for incoming president Devin Stephenson, who would be paid a lower starting salary than most recently named university leaders.
Stephenson is currently president of Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. The trustees earlier this month selected Stephenson to serve as the school’s second president since it opened to students in 2014.
Stephenson was narrowly selected by trustees this month. But members of the trustees board who voted against Stephenson’s selection Monday cited his lack of experience leading a university, versus colleges, and his lack of a STEM background.
The Ledger reports that “one of the dissenting trustees [David B. Williams] submitted his resignation in a terse email” and that “Williams and others emphasized that [Stephenson] was the only finalist with no background in STEM — science, technology, engineering and math. Florida Poly is the only state university that specializes in STEM curriculum.”
Trustee Mark Bostick criticized the selection, drawing a comparison to how prominent STEM-oriented schools such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Georgia Tech would choose leaders
The Florida Poly trustees are set to meet Thursday, and could sign off on a proposed three-year contract that includes a $490,000 base salary for Stephenson. The contract would go into effect July 7, as retiring Florida Poly President Randy Avent is slated to step down. After a sabbatical, Avent is expected to return to the university’s faculty.
Florida Poly is unique among the state’s network of 12 universities, serving as the system’s only school that is solely focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education. It is the second-smallest school by enrollment, with 1,544 students in the fall semester of this year.
In addition to the nearly half-million dollars in base salary that Stephenson would start with, the proposed contract calls for his rate of pay to be “reviewed annually for increase” by the trustees.
“The President shall each year also be eligible for any salary increase generally applicable to University employees in his employment classification, but in no event shall the Base Salary increase be less than Three and One-Half Percent (3.5%) of the prior year’s Base Salary,” the proposed contract says.
Under the proposed employment agreement, Stephenson also would be eligible for annual “performance compensation” bonuses of up to 30 percent of his base salary, or about $147,000 in his first year, based on annual performance evaluations by the school’s trustees.
The proposed contract also would provide Stephenson with $30,000 for moving, relocation and travel expenses, a $7,000 monthly housing allowance and a $1,200 monthly vehicle allowance.
If it is approved by the Florida Poly trustees this week, the contract also would need to be backed by the state university system’s Board of Governors.
Stephenson will step into the job after more than half of the state’s universities have hired new leaders in recent years. All of those school leaders have inked contracts with higher initial base salaries than what has been proposed for Stephenson.
Of the wave of new university presidents, Florida Gulf Coast University President Aysegul Timur’s contract is the most similar in terms of duration and pay.
The Board of Governors last summer approved a three-year contract for Timur with a $500,000 base salary.
University of North Florida President Moez Limayem was given a five-year contract with an initial base salary of $500,000 in 2022.
Other university presidents named in recent years have base salaries that are significantly higher.
University of Florida President Ben Sasse got a five-year contract with an initial $1 million base salary that was approved by the Board of Governors in Nov. of 2022. Sasse, a Republican former U.S. Senator from Nebraska, is in line to receive an additional $1 million for serving the five-year term, in addition to being eligible for other perks.
New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran, a Republican former speaker of the Florida House, was given a five-year contract with a base salary of $699,000 last year.
The New College Board of Trustees earlier this month signed off on releasing $200,000 in incentive pay to Corcoran. Under the agreement, Corcoran is eligible to receive $200,000 per year in incentive compensation “based on his achievement of the goals and objectives” laid out in the contract.
Florida State University President Richard McCullough in 2021 was given a five-year contract with an initial base salary of $700,000 to lead the school.
Florida International University President Kenneth Jessel, named to the role in 2022 after serving as the school’s interim leader, received an initial base salary of $650,000 per year.
University of South Florida President Rhea Law, who also had previously led the school on an interim basis, in 2022 agreed to a three-year contract with a base salary of $655,000.
University presidents’ base salaries may have increased since the leaders accepted the jobs.
Devin Stephenson was chosen to become the second president of Florida Polytechnic University. Photo provided by FL Poly.The post Controversy stirs as the incoming Florida Poly president’s contract is discussed appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Biden in Tampa and protestsPresident Biden is visiting Tampa to address Florida’s abortion ban and energize Democrats for the upcoming election. However, a peace protest accuses him of funding the genocide of Palestinian women.
New weather tool will warn people about heatOn Earth Day, the CDC and NOAA unveiled a new tool aimed at offering additional information for individuals particularly vulnerable to heat.
Governor gets 20 billsGovernor Ron DeSantis recently received 20 bills, including SB 1674 aimed at cracking down on “street takeovers” to prevent street, drag, and stunt racing. The bill proposes increased fines and jail time for participants. Additionally, he received HB 1473, a school-safety bill requiring new perimeter and door-safety measures in Florida schools, including keeping gates closed and locked unless actively staffed, and prohibiting drone operations over schools.
Food insecurityAccording to a recent poll commissioned by No Kid Hungry Florida, it’s becoming increasingly challenging for Floridians to afford food.
14-year-old shot in TampaTampa police are investigating the death of a 14-year-old boy who was shot last week. The incident occurred near the 1400 block of West Busch Boulevard, where Jevario Buie was found dead from a gunshot wound near the railroad tracks.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Kerilyn Kwiatkowski
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Tues. April 23rd, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Ryan Dailey ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Flanked by veterans who attacked Cuba during the Bay of Pigs invasion, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed a measure that will lead to the history of communism being taught in grades as low as kindergarten.
The governor, standing behind a placard that read “anti-communism education,” touted lessons that will be required under the bill.
“We’re going to tell the truth about communism in the state of Florida. We’re going to tell the truth about the evils of communism,” DeSantis said at the Hialeah Gardens bill-signing event.
State lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the measure (SB 1264) during the 2024 legislative session that ended last month. Under the bill, lessons on the history of communism will be added to required instruction in public schools starting in the 2026-27 school year.
The lessons would have to be “age appropriate and developmentally appropriate” and incorporate various topics related to communism, including the “history of communism in the United States and domestic communist movements” and “their histories and tactics.”
“Atrocities committed in foreign countries under the guidance of communism,” also would be required as part of the lessons. Additionally, the curriculum would have to include a comparative “discussion of political ideologies, such as communism and totalitarianism, which conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy essential to the founding principles of the United States.”
State Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. acknowledged that the lessons would be “spread across” all grades. The state education department will be tasked with drawing up academic standards for the lessons.
“All of this will be spread across the curriculum, K (kindergarten) through 12 (twelfth grade). And it will be done in a manner that is age-appropriate, like we do with all of our standards,” Diaz said Wednesday.
DeSantis signed the bill on the 63rd anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion, and was joined at the bill-signing event by people who fought in the invasion in an attempt to overthrow the Cuban government led by Fidel Castro.
Rafael Montalvo, president of Brigade 2506 Veterans Association, was among the people who addressed the crowd at the Hialeah Gardens Museum. The museum features a building funded through the Florida Department of State that was constructed to honor “the noble efforts of the 2506 Assault Brigade during the Bay of Pigs Invasion.”
“The most important fight against communism is the one that’s done in the schoolrooms,” Montalvo said. “That’s where the battle is happening right now. And this is going to be a tool that’s going to give us the victory in that area.”
Florida’s public school students currently can encounter lessons on communism in high-school social studies classes and in a seventh-grade civics and government course. A high-school U.S. government class that is a requirement for graduation also includes 45 minutes of instruction on “Victims of Communism Day.”
Florida also previously had a course titled “Americanism vs. Communism,” which was required for public high school students between 1961 and 1991.
With the state set to bolster its communism history offerings in schools, Diaz highlighted how anti-communism sentiment is strong in South Florida.
The measure authorizes the education department to seek input from “any individual who was a victim of communism or any state or nationally recognized organization dedicated to the victims of communism,” as it crafts standards for the curriculum.
Diaz said he wants other students throughout the state to learn about the history of communism from people who experienced it directly.
“Unfortunately not everybody across the state has that opportunity from their family or from others who saw it firsthand, who fought it first hand.” Diaz said.
The post On the anniversary of the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, DeSantis signs a bill requiring the teaching of communism history in Florida appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
Devin Stephenson, who is in line to become president of Florida Polytechnic University, could make up to $1.224 million a year in the new role.
The Florida Poly Board of Trustees on Monday selected Stephenson to succeed outgoing President Randy Avent.
Stephenson is president of Northwest Florida State College, where he earned a salary of $280,000 as of last school year.
The Florida Poly trustees in February approved a total compensation range for the new president of $782,000 to $1.224 million.
That range will be used in contract negotiations with Stephenson, and a proposed employment agreement is slated to come before the trustees for consideration on April 25.
Stephenson was selected Monday over four other finalists for the job.
His appointment also would need approval from the state university system’s Board of Governors.
Florida Poly, which had 1,544 students at the beginning of the academic year, is the second-smallest school by enrollment in the state’s network of 12 universities.
The post The new president of Florida Poly could make up to $1.2 million a year appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Gopher tortoise deathsResearchers at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Petersburg have discovered a concerning trend: over the past six weeks, 57 gopher tortoise carcasses were found in the area. This amounts to more than a third of the tortoises in the preserve. Suspicions point to coyotes as the culprits.
Some 911 calls answered by crisis intervention specialistsDuring National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, the Tampa Police Department and the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay’s new program to have certain 911 calls answered by crisis intervention specialists.
DeSantis supports education bill During a recent press conference, Governor Ron DeSantis announced his intention to sign a new education bill. The governor believes that this bill will not only improve education but also safeguard against political interference in the educational system.
Lawsuit over drops from Florida’s Medicaid programTrial set for May 13th in lawsuit over Medicaid removals in Florida post-COVID emergency. Allegations include a lack of proper notification before termination.
Two candidates file to succeed Tommy Gregory State Rep. Tommy Gregory’s move to become president of a college prompted Lakewood Ranch Republicans Bill Conerly and Rich Tatem to file for his House District 72 seat in Manatee County. Gregory chairs the House Judiciary Committee.
New Florida Poly president Devin Stephenson, the current president of Northwest Florida State College, has been chosen by the Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees as the institution’s next president. He will succeed Randy Avent. This sparked debate among trustees regarding whether the next president should have a background in STEM.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Kerilyn Kwiatkowski
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Tues. April 16th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Ryan Dailey 16 hrs ago ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees on Monday chose Devin Stephenson to become the school’s second president, succeeding Randy Avent who is slated to step down in July.
Stephenson, who is president of Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, was selected in a 7-6 vote amid a debate among trustees about whether Florida Poly’s next president should have a background in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM as it is commonly known.
Avent has led the Lakeland university since it opened to students in 2014. He is expected to return to the Florida Poly faculty after a sabbatical.
Trustees who supported Stephenson’s selection pointed to reasons such as his experience in education leadership, ability to raise money and the potential to secure resources for the school through connections in the Legislature.
Stephenson has been president of Northwest Florida State College since 2017. He previously worked as president of Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonsburg, Ky.
Cliff Otto, chairman of the Florida Poly trustees, said he was impressed by Stephenson’s record of leadership in higher education and said Stephenson would be good for the university.
“He has served in those roles by demonstrating some things that are going to be equally important to Florida Poly. He’s shown that he’s committed to growth. He has demonstrated and told us that he is a very successful fundraiser. And he is known to be effective in Tallahassee, which is important as we try and continue to drive investment in the university,” Otto said.
A biography of Stephenson on the Northwest Florida State College website said he has “extensive experience in community college executive administration having served in President/CEO positions in Alabama, Missouri and Kentucky.”
Stephenson holds an associate in science degree from Walker Junior College, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Birmingham-Southern College and master’s and doctorate degrees in higher-education administration from the University of Alabama, the biography said.
Stephenson spoke of his leadership style on The News Service of Florida’s “Deeper Dive with Dara Kam” podcast in January.
“I’ve tried to surround myself with a diverse cabinet of leaders, of all generations, because I don’t want ‘yes people.’ I want people that will challenge my thinking as a baby boomer, and to help me realize, what is the best solution? And we do it all together,” Stephenson said.
Members of the trustees board who voted against Stephenson’s selection Monday cited his lack of experience leading a university, versus colleges, and his lack of a STEM background.
Trustee Mark Bostick criticized the selection, drawing a comparison to how prominent STEM-oriented schools such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Georgia Tech would choose leaders.
“If we’re trying to set expectations for Florida Poly, MIT, Georgia Tech are not going to hire a community college president who has no STEM background. I mean, we’re going to be the laughingstock of the country as far as trying to have a national presence. And I just think this is a disaster,” Bostick said before the final vote was taken.
Bostick’s comment touched off a debate among the trustees, with other members defending the choice of Stephenson.
“We have a record in Florida of college presidents who have had great success not necessarily having an education background, or even a background in the particular expertise of that university,” said trustee Jesse Panuccio, who was appointed to the board by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year.
The trustees this month interviewed Stephenson and four other finalists. Keith Moo-Young, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., got support from several of the trustees who did not support Stephenson’s selection.
Other finalists were David Norton, vice president for research at the University of Florida; Daniel O’Sullivan, vice provost and chemistry professor at the U.S. Naval Academy; and Bjong Wolf Yeigh, an engineering professor and former chancellor for the University of Washington Bothell.
Stephenson’s selection will need approval from the state university system’s Board of Trustees. In the meantime, Florida Poly will begin negotiating a contract with Stephenson. The contract will come before the university’s trustees for consideration during a meeting on April 25.
The post The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees narrowly selects Devin Stephenson as its next president appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:In a press conference today (Monday) Ron DeSantis said he planned to sign a new education bill. Kerilyn Kwiatkowski reports that the governor says it will enhance education and prevent political interference. DeSantis says HB 1285 limits book complaints from people without kids in the district. But he says parents can still voice concerns.
“if you don’t have a kid in the school district, you can challenge one book per month. And I think that will help shortcircuit these frivolous challenges because it’s being done to create a narrative that somehow, all these books are, banned. No book is banned in Florida, the most grotesque pornographic books that are in schools that are that have been removed, because they’re not appropriate. You can go buy it at a bookstore.”
The bill also requires the State Board of Education to create certificates for teachers who want to work in schools that use a classical education model. Governor DeSantis said he plans to sign the bill soon.
The post Governor Ron DeSantis to Sign New Education Bill Focused on Enhancing Education and Preventing Political Interference appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Wetlands permittingA U.S. district judge has finalized his rejection of a 2020 decision by the federal government to transfer permitting authority for projects affecting wetlands to Florida.
Rally for Gaza in SarasotaPro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in Sarasota on Saturday, calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. Although the march remained peaceful, tensions were palpable amidst the ongoing conflict in the region.
New laws support copsGovernor Ron DeSantis recently signed contentious bills aimed at support for law enforcement.
East Tampa rec centerTampa’s parks and recreation department has embarked on a major endeavor with the commencement of a new recreation complex in East Tampa.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Kerilyn Kwiatkowski
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: ,Mon. April 15, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Ryan Dailey ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran will receive $200,000 in incentive pay after the school’s Board of Trustees on Thursday signed off on a performance evaluation and releasing the money.
Corcoran has led New College since February 2023, initially on an interim basis amid a leadership shakeup at the school that garnered national attention. Trustees named him president on a permanent basis in October.
Under a contract approved by the trustees and state university system officials last year, Corcoran is eligible to receive $200,000 a year in incentive pay “based on his achievement of the goals and objectives” laid out in the employment agreement. The money approved Thursday was the first time he will receive a $200,000 payment.
New College is by far the smallest school in the state university system and had 731 students during the fall 2023 semester. Corcoran, a former Republican House speaker and state education commissioner, became president after Gov. Ron DeSantis revamped the Board of Trustees with a slate of conservative appointees. The new members of the board helped oust former President Patricia Okker.
The objectives attached to Corcoran’s incentive pay were in eight categories: increasing fundraising for New College; increasing “campus life inclusive of improvements to student housing, food services, adding sports;” re-envisioning the campus master plan; increasing campus safety and security; “faculty additions with growth and excellence;” increasing enrollment to 1,200 by the end of the fifth year; enriching academic programs and offerings; and increasing second-year student retention to 85 percent within five years.
The document cited “major milestones/deliverables” that Corcoran has achieved. For example, under the category of increasing funding for New College, the document pointed to $50 million in appropriations for the school in the current state budget. The description billed it as “the largest annual infusion of financial resources in the school’s history and more than the college has obtained in total in the last 10 years.”
Under the category related to improvements to campus life, a description said Corcoran oversaw increased “student activities on campus, including upgrading facilities for (a) state-of-the-art pool, adding a new gym and upgrading current dorms.”
Corcoran’s incentive pay will come on top of his $699,000 annual base salary. It was approved with little discussion by the trustees. But Trustee Amy Reid, the panel’s lone faculty member and the only member who voted against releasing the money, raised concerns about the funds coming from the New College Foundation.
“Has anybody consulted with the foundation about whether or not they have sufficient funds to pay this? I am concerned about the depletion of foundation funds,” Reid said.
Reid also said that “a number of receipts that are submitted to the foundation are not paid in a prompt way” and questioned whether the $200,000 payout to Corcoran was a “viable” move.
Bill Galvano, the trustees’ general counsel and a Republican former state Senate president, said he had communicated with the foundation.
“That was an issue that had come up earlier,” Galvano said. “And so I confirmed that the foundation does have the funds and has set these funds aside.”
Trustee Matthew Spalding, who was among the DeSantis’ appointees, defended giving Corcoran the incentive pay, citing the $50 million in state money that the president brought in.
“My assumption is that previous presidents also received bonuses. This seems to be a bonus that was actually earned,” Spalding said.
Corcoran’s evaluation was performed by New College’s Presidential Evaluation Committee, made up of eight of the 13 members of the Board of Trustees. Serving on the committee were Chairwoman Debra Jenks, who also chairs the committee, and trustees Ryan Anderson, Ron Christaldi, Joe Jacquot, Lance Karp, Grace Keenan, Don Patterson and Christopher Rufo.
The committee recommended that Corcoran receive the full amount of incentive pay. Meanwhile, Corcoran in the future could receive more money beyond his base salary and the incentive pay.
The compensation package also included an “accrued retention payment” of $200,000 for the first three years that would be paid out in a lump sum of $600,000 in February 2026 if he remains on the job. Corcoran would earn $100,000 a year in such payments for the final two years of his five-year contract.
The post New College of Florida trustees give President Richard Corcoran a $200,000 incentive bonus appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
The Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees approved raising student on-campus housing costs by 5 percent a year over four years.
The post FGCU raises student housing costs appeared first on WMNF.
A new survey of higher education faculty members in four states including Florida found concerns about the climate of higher ed in Florida. According to UFF, “faculty leaving those states are unwilling to come to Florida” and it’s because “Gov. DeSantis and his supporters’ policies are continuing to harm our state’s colleges and universities.”
On Tuesday Cafe (12 September 2023) we will speak with Andrew Gothard, president of UFF, United Faculty of Florida, which represents higher education faculty.
Also on Tuesday Café: Suicide Prevention Month and The Florida Institute for Community Studies (FICS) loses its homeAlso on Tuesday Café (12 September 2023) we will speak about two other issues: September is Suicide Prevention Month and The Florida Institute for Community Studies (FICS) has lost its lease.
WMNF’s Tuesday CaféTuesday Café airs weekly on WMNF beginning at 10:06 a.m. ET.
You can listen live on 88.5 FM in Tampa Bay, on wmnf.org or on the WMNF Community Radio app.
You can watch replays on TBAE Network Channels at 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Tuesdays on Spectrum 636, Frontier 34 and watch.tbae.net. Or on demand.
You can listen anytime on demand on wmnf.org or by subscribing to the Tuesday Café podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
https://open.spotify.com/show/311qfxLFcO8F7ZvnjgZogD – WMNF’s Tuesday Café with Seán Kinane.The post College faculty are leery of coming to Florida because of changes to higher education in the state, according to a survey appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The_Scoop_230911.mp3
Florida Automated Vehicles SummitThe Florida Automated Vehicles Summit took place in Downtown Tampa last week. The conference is a look ahead to the future of transportation.
The future of abortionThe Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments Friday in a case that will likely determine the future of access to abortion.
9/11 memorialsPeople are gathering today at memorials, firehouses, city halls, and campuses to observe the 22nd anniversary of the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil. Today also marks the 50th anniversary of the military coup that started the brutal, 17-year-long US-backed Pinochet dictatorship in Chile.
Hate crime concerns revivedThe motivations of a shooter who targeted and killed Black people in Jacksonville, Florida, have revived concerns about hate violence and domestic terrorism. Families in Jacksonville on Friday began eulogizing loved ones fatally shot at a neighborhood Dollar General store two weeks ago.
University tenure changesThe Florida Board of Governors approved Gov. Ron DeSantis’ promise to undercut tenure, codifying the state’s new law, Senate Bill 266. It requires tenured faculty members in Florida’s public universities to go through post-tenure review every five years.
National Guard drug programA state legislative committee has freed up $335,000 for a Florida National Guard program that helps target illegal drugs.
Information from the Florida Public Media, News Service of Florida, and Associated Press was used in this report.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The_Scoop_230911.mp3
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF SUBSCRIBE!
The Scoop producer Corey Beltran
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Sean Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Ta’Leah Van Sistine, Colleen Cole, Taylor Lovejoy
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy, Justin Seecharan, Novia Levy, Camilla Carrero, Kayla Allen
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Mon., September 11, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
By Ryan Dailey ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — A state investigation into “anomalies” in Florida Atlantic University’s search for a new president has been delayed because the university hired outside legal counsel, state university system Chancellor Ray Rodrigues said Friday.
Rodrigues’ comments during a meeting of the university system’s Board of Governors were the first time he has publicly addressed the issue since he halted Florida Atlantic University’s presidential search and asked for an inspector general probe into the search process in July.
Pointing to “some delays” in the inquiry, Rodrigues said FAU and AGB Search, a firm hired by the university to assist with the search, retained legal representation in the matter.
“We are now working with AGB and FAU, through legal counsel, but nevertheless remain steadfast in completing a fair and thorough investigation,” Rodrigues told the board on Friday.
Rodrigues in July requested that the search be put on hold, after the school had narrowed down a field of applicants to three final candidates. In a letter to FAU Board of Trustees Chairman Brad Levine, who also heads the school’s Presidential Search Committee, Rodrigues cited “anomalies that have been alleged” in the search.
Rodrigues took issue with what he described as a survey conducted by AGB Search that asked search committee members to rank their preferred candidates, calling it a “straw poll” and saying that it could have run afoul of a new state law that guides higher-education presidential searches.
Rodirigues also said at the time that at least one candidate had been asked questions related to their sexual orientation and gender, though the anonymous candidate was not named in the letter.
Board of Governors Vice Chairman Eric Silagy on Friday asked Rodrigues whether the FAU search committee received information collected by the search firm, such as the results of the survey.
“That survey, you’re saying … was done, but … was done without the knowledge of FAU and the information was not provided to FAU, was that correct?” Silagy asked.
“It is correct that it (the survey) was done. It is correct that FAU has said they did not know that it was done and that they did not receive the results,” Rodrigues replied.
Silagy persisted.
“So FAU had no information,” Silagy said, “and therefore that information did not come into any bearing with regard to this selection process?”
“That is what they said,” Rodrigues said.
As the investigation by the Board of Governors’ inspector general is ongoing, members of the board on Friday also gave the greenlight to seek advice from Attorney General Ashley Moody about whether such anonymous surveys would comply with Florida’s open-government law, known as the Sunshine Law.
The board agreed to ask for Moody’s legal opinion “regarding whether a committee governed under the Sunshine Law can use a preference survey that is conducted off the record, outside of a meeting, and anonymously submitted by the committee members to a third party, in order to streamline discussions, is consistent with the requirements of the Sunshine Law.”
Board of Governors Chairman Brian Lamb said during Friday’s meeting that seeking such opinions by an attorney general is “not something we do a lot of.”
But Lamb said that “seeking clarity is key here,” adding that Moody’s opinion could help the board determine whether a regulation guiding how presidential searches are conducted should be changed.
Meanwhile, Rodrigues’ halting of the search ramped up speculation that state Rep. Randy Fine, a Brevard County Republican who was rumored to be a candidate but was not named a finalist, had been in the running for the job. Fine has not confirmed that he applied to be FAU’s president.
The post Probe into “anomalies” in search for a new FAU president hits ‘delays’ appeared first on WMNF.
The Escambia County School Board is asking a judge to move a federal lawsuit about access in school libraries to the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three.”
Attorneys for the Escambia board filed a motion Wednesday arguing that the case should be heard in Pensacola, rather than in Jacksonville.
Authors Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and a third-grade Escambia County student filed the lawsuit against the Escambia and Lake County school districts and the State Board of Education.
The lawsuit alleges First Amendment violations in removing or restricting access to the book in school libraries. In part, it seeks an injunction to require restoring the book to Escambia school library shelves.
“And Tango Makes Three” tells the story of two male penguins who raised a penguin chick at New York’s Central Park Zoo.
The lawsuit contends that the book has been targeted for “illegitimate, narrowly partisan, political reasons.”
The lawsuit also raises issues about a controversial state law that restricts instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.
The case was initially filed against the Lake County district and the state in the federal Middle District of Florida, which includes Lake County and Jacksonville.
But the lawsuit was later revised to include Escambia County, which is in the federal Northern District of Florida.
In the motion Wednesday, the Escambia attorneys raised a series of arguments for moving the case to Pensacola.
“While plaintiffs challenge actions of the Lake County School Board, any inconvenience to them is outweighed by the fact plaintiffs are actively seeking a preliminary injunction against the Escambia County defendants, whereas they have sought no similar extraordinary relief against the Lake County defendants,” the motion said. “Further, the Lake County defendants do not object to this request for transfer, obviating any concern about convenience to them.”
Jacksonville-based U.S. District Judge Brian Davis issued an order Thursday that said he was taking the motion under advisement.
Also, Davis rescheduled a preliminary-injunction hearing from Sept. 15 to Sept. 22.
©2023 The News Service of Florida
The post Escambia School Board seeks to move a lawsuit alleging it violated the First Amendment by restricting access to the book “And Tango Makes Three” appeared first on WMNF.
Inmate faces lethal injection Inmate Michael Duane Zack is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection on October 3rd. His attorneys have now approached the Florida Supreme Court. Tampa tax hike rejected Tampa City Council voted to reject Mayor Jane Castor’s proposed budget at a meeting that included four hours of public... Read more »
The post The Scoop: Wed., September 6, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
CDC of Tampa is a social service organization that is responsible for making society better by providing skills for the modern workforce, real estate for low to affordable housing, and youth programs. This CDC organization focused is on East Tampa.
The post Episode 19: Earnest Coney Chief Executive of CDC of Tampa appeared first on WMNF.
If your business needs resources; loans, networking, and collaboration with other businesses you should be there at the CEO Experience events.
CEO Experience event has keynote speakers from the business community local and state.
The post Episode 20: Drew Ware owner of CEO Experience/The Ultimate Networking for Entrepreneurs’ Events appeared first on WMNF.
A First Amendment fight about access in school libraries to the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three” now incudes the Escambia County school system.
The post Fight in Florida over the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three” widens appeared first on WMNF.
Passidomo highlighted steps to take "the first step towards reducing onerous and excessive regulations” on public schools.
The post Kathleen Passidomo targets what she calls ‘excessive regulations’ on Florida schools appeared first on WMNF.
Listen: Florida education officials voted Wednesday to approve a rule requiring students and employees to use the bathroom corresponding to their sex assigned at birth. The new rules apply to schools in the Florida College System. The Florida Board of Education approved the rule during a meeting in Naples. The rule requires colleges to “update... Read more »
The post Florida officials pass new rule requiring restroom use based on biological sex in state colleges appeared first on WMNF.
Suspect shot and killed Tampa Police officers and a Polk County sheriff deputy killed a man after coming under fire yesterday while working as U.S. Marshals serving a warrant in Riverview. The 39-year-old was the primary suspect in a 2009 homicide out of New York and was wanted for failure to register as a sex... Read more »
The post The Scoop: Wed., August 23, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
A House Democrat on Tuesday filed a bill for the 2024 legislative session that seeks to raise teachers’ minimum base salaries to $65,000.
The post Bill by a Democratic state representative seeks a minimum $65K teacher pay in Florida appeared first on WMNF.
New College is sending students to live in a third hotel off campus while many new students are given on-campus housing.
The post Some New College of Florida students have to live in a hotel four miles from campus appeared first on WMNF.
State university system officials discuss bolstering information technology staff and are aiming to beef up schools’ cybersecurity.
The post Florida’s university system will request more funding for IT and cybersecurity appeared first on WMNF.
Sextortion in Tampa Bay The FBI Tampa Field Office has seen an increase in sextortion cases targeting teenage boys. Both the FBI and the St Petersburg Police Department are encouraging victims to come forward. Florida’s teacher deficit Florida’s statewide teacher’s union and the Department of Education have released different figures on the number of... Read more »
The post The Scoop: Fri., August 18, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
Florida’s Department of Education recently announced the approval of “supplemental teaching materials” from PragerU. In the announcement, state education officials maintained that the new K-12 curriculum from “PragerU Kids,” aligns with Florida’s “revised civics and government standards. Hillsborough and Pinellas schools will not be using new PragerU Kids materials for upcoming academic year, according to... Read more »
The post PragerU: Would you let your kids see it? appeared first on WMNF.
Two young USF activists, former employee Chrisley Carpio and student Gia Davila, along with 3 other student activists associated with Tampa Students for a Democratic Society, are now facing serious felony charges for protesting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ culture wars, and Republican legislative efforts to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on college campuses. But, video from the scene seems to show USF police instigating violence against the protesters.
The post The Tampa 5 USF Protesters appeared first on WMNF.
Lawsuit filed against limiting college instruction Students, professors, and supporters of New College filed a lawsuit against the University System of Florida’s Board of Governors and the New College Board of Trustees over a law that limits public college instruction. However, one trustee welcomes the suit. Global data breach affects Hillsborough The Temple Terrace... Read more »
The post The Scoop: Thurs., August 17, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
Laid-off University of South Florida faculty members & unions have challenged the constitutionality of a new state law giving university presidents the final say in employment disputes.
The post USF faculty sue Florida over its new ‘arbitration ban’ appeared first on WMNF.
Listen: Students, professors, and supporters of New College filed a lawsuit against the University System of Florida’s Board of Governors and New College Board of Trustees over a law that limits public college instruction. However, one Board of Trustees member welcomes the suit. Governor Ron DeSantis appointed six conservative members to the Board of Trustees... Read more »
The post Lawsuit challenges DeSantis’s new anti-diversity law; New College trustee hopes lawsuit “will prevail” appeared first on WMNF.
Gopher Tortoise’s protection The Gopher tortoise is a threatened species native to the southeastern US. The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the US Fish and Wildlife Service for denying the animal Endangered Species Act protections. Federal lawsuit to block new education standards A group opposing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ efforts to remake New College... Read more »
The post The Scoop: Wed., August 16, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
A fractious trustees meeting at FAU exposed a rift over the school's response to the suspension of its presidential search process.
The post Tensions flare during a meeting about the stalled search for a president of FAU appeared first on WMNF.
A group opposing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ efforts to remake New College filed a lawsuit alleging that a new law prohibits several courses & topics.
The post Lawsuit alleges that a new law will censor and prohibit courses and topics at New College of Florida appeared first on WMNF.
THE FIRST FULL WEEK OF K-12 SCHOOLS IS UNDERWAY. TODAY WE FOCUS ON THE STATE OF EDUCATION INCLUDING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. FROM FREEDOM SCHOOLS TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IT IS ALL ON TOPIC TODAY. ALSO, A NEW POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE TO HELP CANDIDATES UNDER 30 TO RUN FOR OFFICE. Also, as some are embracing artificial intelligence... Read more »
The post The State of Education and Politics appeared first on WMNF.
Gender studies at New College of Florida Gender studies could be phased out at New College of Florida beginning in 2024. A motion to start that process passed at a New College Board of Trustees meeting yesterday. New College conducts interviews for president New College of Florida officials interviewed three final candidates vying to... Read more »
The post The Scoop: Fri., August 11, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
New College of Florida officials interviewed 3 candidates vying to become president, including current Interim President Richard Corcoran.
The post Richard Corcoran is one of three finalists for New College of Florida’s permanent president appeared first on WMNF.
Listen: New College Board of Trustees voted to begin the termination of the school’s Gender Studies program. The motion passed at a meeting Thursday. Christopher Rufo, conservative anti-diversity activist and Board of Trustees member, proposed the ban via Zoom. “There’s great historical precedent for abolishing programs that stray from their scholarly mission, in favor of... Read more »
The post After heated dialogue, New College Board of Trustees vote to begin termination of gender studies appeared first on WMNF.
Listen: Demonstrators and political leaders rallied in Tampa this morning, demanding charges to be dropped for protesters facing court after challenging the University of South Florida’s diversity policies. Demonstrators chanted outside of the downtown Tampa courthouse where the self-proclaimed Tampa 5 faced their next court hearing. Defendants were arrested in March while protesting new laws... Read more »
The post Political leaders, demonstrators call for charges to be dropped in USF diversity protest case appeared first on WMNF.
A local Girl Scout is trying to help improve literacy. Elaine Feaster is a part of the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida.
The post Local Girl Scout donates books for literacy appeared first on WMNF.
School districts around Florida are taking a patchwork of approaches to a college-credit psychology course, amid a dustup between Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration and the College Board.
The post School districts grapple with Florida’s AP course confusion appeared first on WMNF.
Wakulla Springs hearing flooded with residents Wakulla Commissioners are pushing back a rezoning hearing to decide the fate of a controversial gas station project near Wakulla Springs to be heard. Public comment concerning the threat the gas station could pose to the county’s drinking water, and to the springs, was put into recess and the... Read more »
The post The Scoop: Tues., August 8, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
How to represent yourself in federal civil courts as a Prose.
The post Episode 18: Andrea Debose a Prose in the Tampa Federal Court System and Won. However, experiencing unnatural delay. appeared first on WMNF.
Florida education officials & a school district want a lawsuit tossed out over removal from school libraries of book “And Tango Makes Three.”
The post Florida and Lake County school district seek to end their fight over the “And Tango Makes Three” library book removal appeared first on WMNF.
Hurricane Ian recovery funding Hurricane Ian made landfall last September and devastated parts of Florida. FloridaCommerce held a public meeting Friday at the University of South Florida about federal recovery funding. Florida AP Psychology Students in Florida may be able to take the Advanced Placement course in psychology after all. The College Board hopes... Read more »
The post The Scoop: Mon., August 7, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
Faculty unions and a New College of Florida professor who was denied tenure have challenged the constitutionality of a new state law.
The post Unions and a New College professor challenge a Florida law that got rid of arbitration appeared first on WMNF.
Wakulla Springs faces possible development Locals are trying to protect Wakulla Springs ahead of a meeting that could jeopardize its future. Environmental advocates and Wakulla County residents are protesting proposed changes that may threaten a state attraction and what some consider an international treasure. Censorship continues in Florida schools The College Board says The... Read more »
The post The Scoop: Fri., August 4, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
Florida’s restrictions on instruction about sexual orientation & gender identity have “effectively banned” an AP psychology course.
The post College Board says Florida has “effectively banned” its AP psychology course appeared first on WMNF.
State education officials asked a judge to toss out a lawsuit by Florida A&M University students alleging discrimination against the historically Black school.
The post Florida urges the judge to reject FAMU students’ case alleging racial discrimination appeared first on WMNF.
An organization that advocates for Florida’s Muslim community is calling on state education officials to reverse course on a recent decision to approve conservative PragerU video content to be shown in public schools.
The post Muslim-American advocacy group objects to “Islamaphobic” PragerU content in Florida schools appeared first on WMNF.
Dash ride-hailing service coming to Tampa The Tampa Downtown Partnership announced a new ride service funded by existing revenue sources beginning in October. This announcement comes a couple of years after the Downtowner service was shuttered due to funding issues. Bipartisan concerns over new history standards Both conservative and liberal voices are concerned about... Read more »
The post The Scoop: Tues., August 1, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
Enya Silva and Joseph Charry, members of the Tampa Bay chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), to discuss student protest and solidarity for the “Tampa 5”. Five students were arrested last March protesting against the de-funding of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs on campus.
The post Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society appeared first on WMNF.
Malaria cases ease After two weeks without new malaria cases, Sarasota County and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention have updates regarding the outbreak. Education standards remain a contentious topic Yesterday about a dozen activists gathered in protest of a plethora of changes in education by the Florida state legislature, as well as... Read more »
The post The Scoop: Fri., July 28, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
Yesterday about a dozen activists gathered in protest of a plethora of changes in education by the Republican supermajority in the Florida state legislature, as well as the US Supreme Court’s overturning of affirmative action. “Racist, sexist, anti-gay; Ron DeSantis, go away! Racist, sexist, anti-gay; Ron DeSantis, go away!…” Joseph Charry is leading that chant,... Read more »
The post Progressive groups protest elimination of affirmative action; DEI programs in Florida appeared first on WMNF.
Former senator wants veto accountability A former state senator is calling for more accountability in the veto process after Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill that got rare bipartisan support. Firefighters struggle to live in Tampa Bay Firefighters in Tampa say they can’t afford to live in the Bay area on their current pay. The... Read more »
The post The Scoop: Thurs., July 27, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
At an ALEC conference Gov. Ron DeSantis shrugged off reports about high faculty turnover at his remade New College of Florida.
The post At ALEC, Ron DeSantis dismisses faculty turnover at New College of Florida appeared first on WMNF.
Everybody from Vice-President Kamala Harris to the people in our listening audience take issue with Florida’s new history standard which holds “enslaved people benefited from their enslavement”. A host of solutions to mobilize against, push-back, re-organize education methods such as church and home schooling and fight racist, fascist whitewashing of history. A shout out to... Read more »
The post Fascist Florida Whitewash History Standard appeared first on WMNF.
The Florida African American History Task Force has been taken over by DeSantis loyalists and they have made big changes to the curricula for teaching of Black history in K-12 education since the "Stop Woke" and anti-DEI laws were passed.
The post MidPoint: Teaching African American History in Florida K-12 Schools appeared first on WMNF.
Skyway fishing pier has new rules for anglers The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved new rules on Wed. for the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. The rules are aimed at protecting thousands of seabirds that become entangled at the park. FWC also approved a new rule that creates a Springs Protection Zone along... Read more »
The post The Scoop: WMNF’s daily digest of news headlines for Thursday, July 20th, 2023 appeared first on WMNF.
The State Board of Education approved changes to a rule to help carry out an expansion of Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law.
The post Florida’s Board of Education approves rule changes related to the expansion of “Don’t Say Gay” appeared first on WMNF.
The State Board of Education approved new academic standards in Florida for instruction about Black history, despite objections.
The post Florida approves new Black history standards despite criticism appeared first on WMNF.
We spoke with a student, Basil Pursley, who is fed up with changes at New College of Florida and is transferring out of state.
The post This New College of Florida student is transferring out of state because the school kicked them out of medically necessary housing appeared first on WMNF.
Deadly daytime shootout According to a press release, yesterday Tampa Police killed a man in a shootout as officers responded to the 2800 block of N. 35th Street. According to police, the suspect fired on them with an AK-47 while leading officers in a vehicular chase after he had stabbed the mother of his children.... Read more »
The post The Scoop: WMNF’s daily digest of news headlines for Tuesday, July 18th, 2023 appeared first on WMNF.
Leaders of a First Amendment group say a new Florida law shielding presidential candidates’ identities harms trust and academic freedom.
The post New Florida law that shields identities of candidates for higher ed presidents is criticized appeared first on WMNF.
Union workers rally members and rear their heads to UPS More than 340,000 UPS workers are gearing up for a potential strike on August 1st after contract negotiations fell through earlier this month. Labor organizers practiced picketing in Tampa and in other cities in Florida yesterday. No additional negotiations are scheduled. The union will... Read more »
The post The Scoop: WMNF’s daily digest of news headlines for Friday, July 14th, 2023 appeared first on WMNF.
Florida's State Board of Education will weigh new rules, including prohibiting TikTok and bar teachers from asking students about preferred pronouns.
The post Florida education board tees up new rules before its meeting appeared first on WMNF.
Members of the University of South Florida community who were arrested on campus in March were in court today. Defendants say they now have more time to build their case. The defendants were arrested in March while protesting new laws limiting African American studies, and diversity issues in schools. Chrisley Carpio was a campus employee... Read more »
The post “Tampa 5” celebrate getting extension on their court cases appeared first on WMNF.
The New College of Florida Board of Trustees on Thursday approved requesting $2 million dollars from the state Legislature to set up a “Freedom Institute” intended to get rid of what they call “cancel culture” in higher education. About three quarters of the request would go toward hiring “scholars to work and teach” on the... Read more »
The post New College of Florida approves funding request for new institute to take on “cancel culture” appeared first on WMNF.
On today’s edition of The Skinny WMNF Tampa 88.5-FM, we’re joined by reps for Black Faculty and Staff Association at University of South Florida—Geveryl Robinson, Vice President-Faculty Liaison for BFSA and Dr. Frank Pyrtle , III, President of BFSA—to talk about Arielle Stevenson’s reporting on declining Black enrollment at the school. In the second half... Read more »
The post Talking declining Black enrollment at USF, and the Green Party’s chances in Florida appeared first on WMNF.
A judge rejected a challenge to Florida Department of Education rules that are part of a move to increase scrutiny of books in schools.
The post Judge backs Florida on school book scrutiny rules appeared first on WMNF.
New College of Florida is continuing efforts this summer to become, they say, “one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.” On Wednesday, the college’s Presidential Search Committee approved a new salary range for the president in hopes of attracting a candidate who will achieve this goal. Listen: Richard Corcoran, as New College’s... Read more »
The post New College search committee approves new salary range for president appeared first on WMNF.
A coalition of progressive organizations marched on Saturday in cities across the state of Florida to shine a light on some of the 200 new laws that went into effect that day.
The post “Slate of Hate” spurs statewide rallies by Florida For All appeared first on WMNF.
Gov. Ron DeSantis told a Moms for Liberty convention that Florida goes “even further” than the Supreme Court ruling stopping affirmative action in college admissions.
The post DeSantis: Florida goes ‘even further’ after SCOTUS ruling on affirmative action appeared first on WMNF.
The Florida Department of Education released proposed rules outlining restrictions on “adult live performances," TikTok and pronouns.
The post TikTok, pronouns and adult performances targeted at Florida schools appeared first on WMNF.
In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday remembered as an end to the institutional chattel slavery in Galveston, Texas(1865). Union General Gordon Granger and his troops traveled to Galveston, Texas to announce General Order No.3 on June 19th, 1865. June 19th would go on to be known and celebrated as Juneteenth. The people are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, All slaves are free. This was true in all but two states Kentucky and Delaware, those states received their freedom on December 6, 1865, when the 13th Amendment was ratified. - Washington Post, 2021
Juneteenth has been commemorated for over 150 years throughout America and some Black Americans consider the day as their Independent Day.
The controversy over Juneteenth is that Black Americans did not request a holiday and because it was already being celebrated. May 20, 1865, is Florida Freedom Day, the day when Black Americans were freed from institutional chattel slavery. Emancipation was proclaimed in Tallahassee on May 20, 1865, eleven days after the end of the Civil War, and two years after the Proclamation first issued by President Abraham Lincoln freed those enslaved in the Southern States. Emancipation Day is traditionally celebrated on May 20, in Florida.-History Channel, 2021
The post Episode 16, June 19, 2023: Commemoration of Juneteenth History at WMNF 88.5 FM appeared first on WMNF.
This afternoon the American Civil Liberties Union offered a forum of about 50 Concerned Citizens, teachers, students, lawyers, and media specialists in an effort to address anxieties while encouraging the public to speak out about educational censorship. Legal experts helped shed some light on a litany of legislation passed by the Republican supermajority in the... Read more »
The post ACLU is helping with claims about censorship in Florida schools appeared first on WMNF.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has filed a lawsuit alleging federal laws and policies about higher ed are unconstitutional.
The post Florida sues feds over college accreditation appeared first on WMNF.
Hillsborough County Schools took a bold stance in declaring two proclamations promoting diversity and inclusion.
The post Hillsborough school board approves proclamations supporting Pride, Juneteenth appeared first on WMNF.
School librarians are feeling threatened and attacked but are speaking up against Moms 4 Liberty book bans, censorship of libraries and the new "Don't Say Gay" law.
The post School Librarians Are Speaking Up! appeared first on WMNF.
Last night the Pinellas Classroom Teacher’s Association held a phone bank to call teachers in an effort to help them retain their union memberships after Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill last month banning automatic dues deductions from public employees’ paychecks. WMNF’s Josh Holton reports. Tracey McConnell is the vice president of the Pinellas... Read more »
The post Pinellas Classroom Teacher’s Association calls teachers as they adapt to new anti-union law appeared first on WMNF.
Episode 15, May 30, 2023: Code Enforcement Undergirds Black Reparations-Mentesnot
Local code enforcement offers a convincing debate for Black people’s Reparations.
Mentesnot is an established longtime citizen of Hillsborough County, and the property owner continues to advocate and fight to remove fines that have been excessive code enforcement, which put his family property in jeopardy due to growing financial debt that the homeowner cannot afford to pay. The nationwide problem is that Code enforcement targets low-income neighborhoods, primarily Black communities; it is prevalent and ongoing in East Tampa. Is this another local and state commandeer of land supported by the federal government to remove Black people from their communities as a form of gentrification? For over 200 years, Black Americans have been demanding Reparations, and this code enforcement adds another layer of the need for Black Reparations.
The post Episode 15, May 30, 2023: Code Enforcement Undergirds Black Reparations-Mentesnot appeared first on WMNF.
New College’s Board of Trustees voted last night to change the institution’s official mascot, despite criticism from faculty, students and alumni.
Listen:https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/NewCollegeNewMascot.mp3New College students were sent a survey in April that asked them to vote on a new mascot. According to screenshots obtained by Catalyst, New College’s student newspaper, options included sea turtles, pelicans and conquistadors, among others.
But ultimately, the option presented at the Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday night had not been in the survey. Interim President Richard Corcoran said the image was only shared with some of the trustees and members of administration before the meeting.
Rising second-year student at New College, Anna Lazzara, shared her sketch of the new mascot and her inspiration for creating it.
“The New College spirit, for me, is the combination of the supportive community and the stunning natural landscape,” Lazzara said. “Both of these things, I believe, are perfectly represented in the form of a mighty banyan tree.”
An image of a flexing banyan tree and the phrase “the mighty banyans” was displayed on a screen for the board and the audience to see.
Lazzara said she recognizes the history of New College’s current mascot, the null set, or “[ ],” so she used the brackets as the banyan’s eyebrows.
Trustee Grace Keenan is the 2023 president of New College’s student government. She was quick to share her contempt for the board’s lack of consultation with the campus community about the new mascot.
“But I did offer many times to help to make sure that this process was going to be proper and to gain you points with the students, to have that dialogue where you come and you want to show respect to the students, be engaged, work on this together,” Keenan said. “But that didn’t happen.”
According to an article by Catalyst, the mascot survey was supposed to remain open for student input until April 28 but was taken down early. Catalyst staff first noticed the survey was inactive on April 20.
Trustee Keenan proposed a motion to endorse “the mighty banyans” as the athletic, but not the official, school mascot. With plans underway for a new athletic program at New College, Keenan said she supports the approval of the new mascot for uniforms and other athletic materials.
But she said she wants students to weigh in, once they return to campus in the fall, on whether the mascot should officially represent the college.
Multiple attempts by Keenan and Trustee Amy Reid, a French professor at New College, to delay a vote on the official mascot were denied by the board. The banyan was soon after approved by a majority of board members as the official school mascot.
The decision arrives as hundreds of members of the New College community are petitioning for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to reject New College’s reported application for membership.
Mike Sanderson is an alum of New College and started the petition. During the public comment session at the board meeting, Sanderson shared dismay that alumni weren’t consulted about the new mascot.
“College sports should bring inclusiveness, integrity, a belonging, leadership and character,” Sanderson said. “The new board is bringing none of that.”
The petition on Change.org has 523 signatures as of Friday morning.
The post New College Board of Trustees approves “mighty banyans” as new mascot against the wishes of students, alumni appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/NEWS_PascoschoollunchV.mp3Pasco County schools are providing free meals during the summer. Starting Monday and lasting until July 28th, Pasco County Schools will be providing breakfasts and lunches every Monday through Thursday. This is a part of a federal program and to qualify you must be 18 years old or younger and you must attend certain schools. Also, there will be buses at Hilltop Landings Apartments, Resurrection House Park, Trilby United Methodist Church, and Zephyrhills YMCA to provide lunch Monday through Thursday. Stephanie Spicknnall is the Director of Food and Nutrition Services for Pasco County Schools. “We wanted to be able to participate in the summer feeding program to ensure that those students that clearly qualified and needed those meals during the school year didn’t have a gap in getting provided nutritious meals for the summer until school started back up again.”
Schools that will be providing the lunches:West PascoAnclote Elementary, Anclote High, Chasco Elementary, Cotee River Elementary, Dayspring Academy (Harmony Location), West Pasco Education Academy, Fivay High, Fox Hollow Elementary, Gulf Highlands Elementary, Gulf Side Elementary, Gulf Middle, Hudson Primary Academy, Mitty P. Lock Elementary, Moon Lake Elementary, Richey Elementary, Schrader Elementary, Sunray Elementary, Wendell Krinn Technical High, and West Pasco Education Academy.
Central PascoCrews Lake Middle, Dr. Mary Giella Elementary, and Shady Hills Elementary.
East PascoCentennial Elementary, East Pasco Education Academy, New River Elementary, Pasco High, Pasco Middle, Quail Hollow Elementary, R.B. Cox Elementary, R.B. Stewart Middle, San Antonio Elementary, Woodland Elementary, and Zephyrhills High.
The post Pasco County Schools provide free lunches appeared first on WMNF.
More changes could be coming this week to New College of Florida, as the school’s Board of Trustees is slated to weigh the selection of a new mascot.
The small liberal arts school in Sarasota launched an intercollegiate athletics department in March, following sweeping leadership changes.
Gov. Ron DeSantis in January appointed a slate of conservative allies to the trustees board.
The revamped board ousted New College president Patricia Okker, replacing her on an interim basis with Richard Corcoran, a former state House speaker and education commissioner.
New College’s student newspaper, The Catalyst, reported in April that members of the campus community were surveyed about possible new mascot options to replace the longtime mascot, the Null Set ( [ ] ).
The school also in March announced the hiring of Mariano Jimenez, a former coach for Team USA Baseball, as New College’s athletic director and baseball coach
©2023 The News Service of Florida
Here’s more of WMNF’s coverage of New College of Florida.
The post New College of Florida could get a new mascot, despite the wishes of students appeared first on WMNF.
On Tuesday Café, we continued our look at changes happening at New College of Florida.
In January, Governor DeSantis re-made the Board of Trustees of the small public college by appointing a conservative majority.
Since then, students, faculty and alumni have fought back against the changes.
One of New College’s most famous alumni is someone who doesn’t give many interviews. X Gonzáles was a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018 at the time of the mass shooting there. And they became a high-profile advocate against gun violence. But Gonzales became more low-profile during their time at New College.
But low-power FM Community Radio Station WSLR in Sarasota recently interviewed X Gonzáles along with another famous New College alum. Derek Black was a White Nationalist when he started at New College. But he moved away from racism during his time at the college.
Listen to the show here:Here is a rough transcript of most of WSLR news coordinator Johannes Werner’s interview with X Gonzáles and Derek Black.
X Gonzáles rose to fame in high school, tragically after a shooter killed and maimed many of their classmates at [Marjory Stoneman Douglas] High in suburban Broward County. They and some of their classmates started a gun violence prevention movement March For Our Lives that still makes ripples. X Gonzales became something of a global icon Their minute of silence in front of hundreds of thousands on the Washington Mall is unforgettable. Then came four quiet tears, which X Gonzalez spent low profile at New College. They graduated last year and I’m sure we will hear more of them soon.
Derek Black would also have liked to keep a low profile at New College studying European medieval history. But when students found out that the heir apparent of a white supremacist dynasty and godson of Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke was on their campus, a firestorm broke out. What happened next, however, changed lives. Despite protests, a group of fellow students and teachers insisted Derek Black had the right to pursue their education. And that made a big difference. Derek is now a national figure after turning away from their white supremacist upbringing and beliefs. And they are now pursuing a PhD in history and Chicago. So again, welcome guys.
One question first. Have you ever shared a microphone before the two of you?
XNo, honestly, we only met yesterday for real and in person. We we’ve been talking on Zoom and stuff previously, but it’s cool. It’s nice to be in front of a microphone together.
DerekI’ve been experiencing that everything that’s been happening seems to be bringing new college people together and continuing now. That’s cool.
XYeah. Love every opportunity that we get to hang out and converse.
DerekIt’s definitely the upside to the terrible last few months.
Yes, the benefit is that you know, tragedy brings community together. And fascism really does ignite a fire in us all. Once again, I want to say thank you so much for having us on the show today. We’re huge fans. We have friends who come on the radio all the time, and we really appreciate the opportunity to be here today.
And so, you know, some of you might know that new college graduation is upon us and today is the day of the formal graduation for current graduating students. The class of 2023 who have had a hell of a ** time excuse my language trying to graduate trying to just move through the world. Hurricanes, COVID, and now a hostile takeover. They have been doing their best and they are finally graduating, this class of theirs and they are going to be free, free of this. They’re going to be adults. They’re going to move forward with their lives.
Going to a graduation makes you remember your own and you know, the friends that you made and stuff and I have the opportunity of being friends with most of the people graduating this year because I graduated last year. But yeah, I guess you know, I don’t know Derek, you wanna? You want to take it from there?
DerekIt’s such a class. Like when we were at alternative graduation last night watching them make their own moment like be able to plan their own night it just really hit me. How many world-changing things had personally hit them in their years while they were there. And I graduated almost a decade ago now. And so my experience of coming back to New College was it was I was watching you like see everybody and you know, when you’re out for a year it’s like you’re still a student. And I had this is the first time I’ve been back to campus where it’s really finally dawning. There is nobody who you know, like dated a friend of mine or who has this sort of like interpersonal stuff that happens a new coach. Finally, we were far enough away that not only was there other no classmates, there’s like friends of classmates. It’s really a class of students for whom like, I am one of the alums from the history that like are coming back to campus and like meeting people seeing campus in this very weird moment and sort of realizing how much it’s consistently still here. I don’t know it’s just really, I knew what we’ve been trying to protect, but seeing it really thriving actually, it almost surprised me.
XYeah. Yeah, I hear that. It’s, it’s really incredible to see how far so many people have come. And the incredible things they’ve done to like, obviously, in spite of the hardships that everybody has been dealing with. Like just the breadth of things that people have been able to accomplish, you know, graduating with a senior thesis.
And that’s something that’s funny to me is so many people will ask me about my college experience nowadays, and you know, they don’t know who I am. And I like to keep a low profile, as we mentioned, and I’m like, Yeah, I went to the school where you know, my thesis and blah, blah, blah and they’re like, thesis? Did you go to grad school? And I forget that not everybody does have to do with thesis in order to graduate college. But new College of Florida is an Honors College and it is a school full of incredibly excellent, academically minded people.
Full of some of the smartest people, most intellectually engaging and academically forward thinkers that you could find. You know, we’ve been talking like Derrick and I’ve been hanging out for this past day. We’ve been talking nonstop about new college, new college culture and the phenomena that has been occurring.
DerekI feel like the extension of the upside of like, I don’t know, sort of bringing everybody together is realizing how much we all have in common. Yeah, like, up up until now. i It’s not that I felt alone. Like I’ve maintained my relationships all my all of my closest people are new college people. They’re negotiable from my ear, though, are peers around me? And we’ve been through a lot, you know, I mean, just like, even beyond my own personal way that we like, met and went through everything. We’ve just been through a lot of life. But we felt a little bit like adrift and alone.
We were strange people who went to a college that nobody had ever heard of all of us had the line memorize were like, Yeah, I went to a small liberal arts college. It’s a public university in Florida. It’s on Sarasota. Yeah, there are no grades. It was really and then just people having no idea and maybe sort of trying to explain it and that’s changed people tend to know what my school is now, which is not for the best reasons but like people do, and alums that I didn’t even know lived in my city.
I live in Baltimore now, coming out, hosting events, putting together responses to the assaults on the school. And it’s really made me realize just how much we all have in common. It’s not that my friends and I had the unique experience of being at this college and seeing each other and growing together. It’s that we all were nurtured by the same college in ways that are almost spooky. I meeting people who graduated 30-something years ago, and we share the same language. Yes, it’s very weird.
XWe all talk in a very, very similar way. I met somebody from the first graduating class at the first board of trustees meeting with the new Board of Trustees for New College in oh god was that I think it was February. I don’t remember what month it was probably January. You know, when I don’t know if any of the listeners know or have forgotten but the original the first day of the hostile takeover, the beginning of it all was January 6, which many of us do not feel as coincidental. But yes, there is. There’s a lot here kind of lost my train of thought for a second there.
DerekI mean, I guess just the only point that I really make is there’s so much about New College that changed my life. And in some ways, like I’ve gotten, this is not the first interview I’ve done where people ask me about New College and up until now I’ve always said, described as a small liberal arts college in Florida. Now people care about New College in a different way. But there’s a part of me that always experienced it as like, wow, I had a very unusual experience at a college at New College.
It was very weird and I have been coming to grips with the fact that we all had really transformative experiences in college that there’s something about mine that sort of people find very shocking or surprising or unusual or weird. But the thing that always happens when I talk to new college alums, whether they’re people I have known myself from there, or just all these people I’ve been meeting the last few months. First thing that always comes out of their mouth is some version of well, you know, like not exactly the same, but I too had a radical experience where I went and experienced no thinking something and then I came out really like can’t believe I just changed.
And I’ve started to realize that this school is a little bit of a magic space of pressure and joy and love and explosive experiences. That I’ve talked to a lot of people from a lot of different places all over the country and academia in sort of intentionally transformative spaces and there’s something about New College that I am much less unique than I think I get credit for. New College changes us all.
And the kind of fear that we hear from these members of this board, people who are trying to make some kind of spectacle we make a big deal about like explaining, oh, maybe you don’t understand it’s not an ideological place. But like the real truth is this place completely transforms people and I think maybe that might be what they’re actually afraid of. There’s it’s not ideological, it’s not that anybody’s being told what to believe or what to think. I wasn’t told what to believe or what to think I came to my own position.
I came to a point in my life where I had to really dramatically alter what I was doing, what I thought. And it’s not because somebody told me I needed. Nobody ever would have been able to convince me to do that. If they were like, here’s what’s right, here’s what’s wrong. It happened because New College doesn’t do that. And I’m starting to realize that’s what they’re actually afraid of like they want it to be a place where people tell you what’s right and what’s wrong.
XAnd they cannot stand the lack of structure and the informality that we like to bring to academia. They have really been afraid of the power that the students have. Like every year, students will get together and do some sort of protest because, you know, there are always things going on at New College. There are always problematic things happening where somebody’s like, well, that’s a problem. And I as a student and impacted by it, and I would like to combat this change. And as this is my home, I would like to protect my home at the same time.
And so there’s so many protests that have happened and by the time you leave you kind of just I have learned how to throw a protest. You know, a lot of people understand like, interpersonal social situations, in an activist sense in an active way like that, like far more. I wish you could put it on your resume. And it’s something that’s kind of not quantifiable.
But yeah, I feel like a lot of the things that have come under, you know, scrutiny about New College, for example, the lack of grades, or the contract system that we have where instead of like being assigned courses for your major you pick courses that you are interested in for your area of concentration, and your advisor says, ‘Okay, well we’re going to agree that you’re going to pass at least three out of four of these. And if you do or you don’t then you will not complete the contract, etc, etc.’ legalese.
But anyways, it’s one of the best structures for education that honestly should be modeled in universities and colleges around the country. And I was a student tour guide and a student ambassador in my senior year so I answered a lot of parents questions when they were like, well, my child would like to go to law school after this. What are they supposed to do with no grades? And every time I would tell them because it’s true. Law schools prefer narrative evaluations to grades because they do not know what type of a student is, you know, just on this page that says A A A A.
But they know what type of a student who that they’re hiring or who they’re who are they’re accepting into their college when they read a narrative evaluation that a professor has written has taken time to write multiple narrative evaluations, evaluations on papers and on the courses itself.
DerekYeah, I remember applying to grad school and submitting, I don’t know, 30 or 40 pages of evaluations, which had a lot more information than a series of As would have had. And I will also point out you know, if you work hard, you get an A, that’s great, and it’s nothing but praise. Yeah, you work hard, you get a really strong satisfactory evaluation, that thing is going to end within here’s the five places you could really improve.
XThere’s always gonna be constructive criticism.
DerekThey always end with some, you could get better. As are more peaceful my friend. Grades are much, much easier.
XYeah, I mean, like, as somebody who loves being on top of things and being seen as a good student by my professors, if I got a B, oh boy, the panic attack that would have ensued. What did I do wrong. But getting here’s where I feel like you could have improved, your sources weren’t so strong. I feel like you’re very passionate and you could, you know, channel this passion into something more specific, blah, blah, blah. Like that type of information is wildly helpful for a student and, you know, with New College and it’s low faculty-to-student ratios, where the class sizes are very tiny in comparison to most other institutions. You know, we get a really personal connection with our professors . Which you know, I don’t have to tell you, Derek, there were like, you know, for this alternative graduation and the graduation tonight, we’ve been hanging out with so many professors that we have become friends with as we were alums. We get to just like text them every now and again and be like hey, how are you doing? How are your kids? It’s just really endearing, how close we get to become as a community.
DerekIt’s been really nice being back in town and seeing professors. We’re not quite peers yet, but you know. I don’t know if we need to, you know, defend the narrative evaluations of people or not, but I’m trying to attempt to do because I do think it’s one of the things when I looked at it at New College and I say, you know, we’re in a precarious moment. We really are being under attack. I have actually a lot of trouble saying what is it that would be my definition of like, we’ve lost because there’s so many pieces to it. We have such a tradition.
It’s a huge mosaic.
When you show up you might not realize it the first day but you kind of realize that the second and every one on that we have decades of culture and tradition and you learn the names and the heroes and the moments and the urban legends. And every single one of those things is a piece of the tapestry. And I have come some trouble deciding what are the ones that are absolutely key. And, you know, narrative evaluations I think are super essential. But it’s also not the moment of New College. It’s not like the kernel. It’s not the thing that makes it doesn’t make New College. The contract system is absolutely breathtaking, life-changing really amazing can meet with your advisor.
XThink structurally about your education where you would want to go embracing the things you’re interested in, even though they might not necessarily be your main focus.
DerekI would have Socratic debates with my advisor about like, why this is the thing that is going to change my intellectual trajectory, and I need to do it. And he would be like, I don’t know about that there. And I would say, I stand upon this mountaintop, and I will have you sign this contract. And like, I don’t know I have not done that in academia since then. I’m just like, sign up in the course registry. You know, we’ll see how it goes.
XAnd there’s so much more active engagement, you know, on a person-to-person level in New College, there’s so much active consent and like, power over your own agency over your own self.
DerekAnd even things like ISP — independent student projects. Every January we have the entire month before the spring semester starts to do a project. You figure it out. You know, you also have a big debate with your advisor about what that’s going to be but you figure it out and some people it’s you know, they randomly have a January to you know, show up and do an internship somewhere where no other college students are breaking down the door. Some people write a crazy essay, some people you know, decide they’re going to start an on-campus cafe.
XWe had a friend who baked a different type of bread every day, because they were very interested in learning how to make bread really good. And then every party after that they would like bring a fresh ciabatta. Like how is that not community building?
DerekThinking through on the ground: How do I define we save the school and also how do I define like we’ve lost the school. I haven’t come to a solid answer like I have the solid answer of these people may close the school. I would say we’ve lost it if that happens. They may lose accreditation. I could start listing worst-case scenarios and all the traditions, all the culture, there’s a million of them and I would fight to to the end for the contract system for narrative evaluations.
XFor the student-run spaces on campus — for the independence — for the nature that exists on campus for the for the systems. The parts of the campus that students have put forward like organizationally, there’s like the Student Success Center where students help other students schedule their stuff there, help them like break down essays so that they can get them done in a timely manner. Help them figure out how to deal with very stressful things going on in their lives. Like all of that stuff is like not only our students like working on campus, and so there are student jobs, but they’re students helping other students helping build the community that way, which also is empowering to the students receiving help and to those students giving help. The list goes on and on when it comes to like student-activated things on campus that are helpful as opposed to hurtful that have absolutely nothing to do with indoctrination. Like that word does not come to mind.
WSLR
Now, I can’t help but point out that you’re very positive New College there are weaknesses of that campus as well. Yes, and one of the areas where it’s being attacked is DEI –diversity, equity and inclusion. Yet ironically, Derek, I remember you saying in a in a Zoom meeting some months ago, that one of the reasons you picked New College, it’s one of the whitest campuses in Florida. So I’m wondering what your reaction is to DEI being under attack and that choice?
DerekThere was no intentionality behind them attacking New College as the home of DEI. I did a talk at New College 2021 I think it was a little bit more than a year and a half before this trustees situation happened. You know, it’s interesting and funny in retrospect, because one of the main things I was there to do was to say, you know, this is my story is you know, people take it as very inspirational, like New College really changed my life. The administration didn’t necessarily, you know, I had a lot of critiques of the administration. They didn’t in my experience, they didn’t intervene. They didn’t speak up on behalf of students who felt unsafe having a white nationalist on their campus like they never spoke publicly.
And so when all this first started happening and they attacked this administration as this — I hate to repeat the stupid stuff that they called it — as just this ideological campus. I could very easily say, oh, you know, so you’re gonna make New College that kind of place that would admit and defend the right to an education to like the most hardcore Nazi right like that’s what these trustees are here to do? And like, I’m sorry to say that New College has been that apparently for a decade.
And like I say that a little bit facetiously. But I don’t know, there’s a there’s a sort of a consequence of New College being a place that has embodied the idea of standing away and letting the students govern their own lives more than anywhere. I went to grad school after New College. I’ve been at several different universities. I’ve been big private universities. I’ve been in large public state universities and other states, and nowhere has ever just trusted that the students, even if they are having an incredibly difficult time, has just allowed the students to govern their own lives and figure out what they wanted in the world. And theirs. That is not an unadulterated praise of an administration that often stood too far back. Often allowed students to be in a situation where they felt like they had too much responsibility to defend themselves to bring make their own spaces and protect themselves.
But at the same time, you know, we’re in a moment where people are calling this college an ideological school and to think that I have never been anywhere where the administration was more hands-off in a way that I had to show up and critique them, you know, a year and a half ago. It’s just the reality of New College is so different from the way that it has been presented that you anyone who’s observing it can’t come to a conclusion other than then they’re not telling you the truth about the intentions. The meaning of what all of this is around New College is about stating power. You know, it is about trying to assert power, both on campus.
XIt’s about a land grab. They want the land for developers like it’s so transparent you know.
DerekThey want the belief that New College tries to create as a place as a little microcosm, I’ve heard the word microcosm so many times in the last two days. And it is a microcosm and they’re legitimately are models of society that come out of that microcosm. And they don’t want that model. They don’t and by that, I believe a little bit more explicit. Like the model of society that comes out New College at the microcosm, when it’s doing its best when there’s what the students create, is a world where people respect and trust each other where …
XWe treat each other with care and kindness.
DerekWhere an Us versus Them gets broken down into you’re a member of this community and you have harmed me and I need you to recognize that. And that is the model of society that they do not want to exist. That is the model of society that comes out of the school. I had an amazing education. I learned a lot of things that really challenged my worldview. But fundamentally, what really happened to me at New College was people showed me a different version of the world and made me answer for like, what was my contribution to it?
And that’s also the thing that everybody who comes up and says, like, Oh, I was transformed at New College. That’s what they that’s what they’re saying. It’s that they saw a vision of the world they’d never seen before. And we’ve got a gang of people coming in who want to crush it.
XThat’s such a beautiful and true way of saying it. I couldn’t say it better. You’re absolutely right. It’s pretty devastating to see what’s happening going on. We’ve been talking mostly about the positives of New College because as novos or alums, we take it upon ourselves to do our best to not critique the school in a way that outsiders would feel themselves entitled to also critique the school in that way.
Although we do have complaints and let me tell you, we air them, but we do love keeping our dirty laundry in our laundry rooms. Because that’s where laundry is dealt with. And we’ve been talking about this, you know, as well, Derek and I throughout the day, about how you know, protests go on. And on when Derek was at school, like everybody tried to keep things out of the local news because that’s not going to help the situation.
However, in this situation, national news and local news can do a lot of help. It can warn people, that this can happen nearby this can happen in their hometowns. Because this is not something that is just happening in Sarasota. The person who is leading all of this is quote-unquote, treating this as an experiment to try to see if this can be replicated at other schools. Which to me sounds very much like a threat and I cannot interpret it any other way.
Especially as I am trans and I am queer. I am Cuban, and I am white. I have a shaved head. Well, I don’t have a shaved head. I have a bit of a mohawk right now. But it’s pink. And I am a visibly not polo-wearing khaki-wearing white man. And the school that they’re trying to make would help that type of person far more than me.
And by help, I mean very much that they’re trying to force us out trying to get rid of any and all trans and queer students any place of comfort that anybody who is feeling othered or is a minority. Any place that anybody who needs a safe place they’re trying to squish it out, make us leave. And at a certain point, it’s important to ask yourself whether or not you can stay and keep fighting or if you have to leave and protect yourself. And there is no shame in leaving to protect yourself, not a bit. But there is power in staying and fighting as well. And it depends on every person involved. You know, some people do have the luxury of being able to pick up and leave. Some people do not have the luxury. And those people who must stay and deserve our support more than ever. And as alums and as Sarasotans it is our duty to help them in any way that we can. …
Richie Floyd on Tuesday CaféAlso on Tuesday Café (May 30, 2023) we interviewed St. Petersburg City Council member Richie Floyd about tenants’ rights, housing affordability and state preemption of local ordinances.
WMNF’s Tuesday CaféTuesday Café airs weekly on WMNF beginning at 10:06 a.m. ET.
You can listen live on 88.5 FM in Tampa Bay, on wmnf.org or on the WMNF Community Radio app.
You can watch Tuesday Café on the TBAE Network on Tuesdays at 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
You can listen anytime on demand on wmnf.org or by subscribing to the Tuesday Café podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
https://open.spotify.com/show/311qfxLFcO8F7ZvnjgZogD – WMNF’s Tuesday Café with Seán Kinane.The post X Gonzáles and Derek Black slam conservative changes at their alma mater, New College of Florida appeared first on WMNF.
A wide-ranging discussion about economic justice, the inequality resulting from the closing and repurposing of Just Elementary School serving predominantly Black communities. Neo-colonialism and the Black petis bourgeois who imitate white racist policies to the detriment of the community. Black conservatives disparaged the call for a travel advisory against Florida in defense of black business profits.
The Sunday Forum urged Justice for Just Elementary School as a pivotal fight for equality.
Race and Black grievance in the U.S. is a major backdrop to the discussion. Ideas for providing jobs and community empowerment in poor, Black communities and ideas to help ease homelessness were discussed.
Hillsborough County School Board closed a school serving predominantly Black children. Board member, Stacy Hahn, reportedly said Just Elementary was “out of second chances.”
The post Justice and Equity appeared first on WMNF.
By Ryan Dailey 4 hrs ago ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — The State Board of Education on Wednesday approved a new rule that will lead to Florida officials publishing an annual list of library books and instructional materials that have drawn public objections, in a move that the board’s chairman said will “provide transparency for our families.”
The rule will carry out part of a controversial 2022 law (HB 1467) that increased scrutiny of school library books and instructional materials, amid a broader push by state officials to weed out inappropriate content. Last year’s law, in part, was designed to give parents and the public increased access to the process of selecting and removing books and other materials.
“A lot of these books that have been removed by districts have been for pornographic or graphic materials that don’t belong in schools, but it is done at a local level,” state Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., said during Wednesday’s meeting.
The new rule adopted Wednesday provides reporting guidelines for districts to give information to the state about materials that have been objected to.
For example, districts will be required to report the bases for objections, including whether books and materials were challenged under claims that they contained pornographic content or were inappropriate for a grade level or age group.
Districts also would have to report the “rationale for removing, discontinuing, or limiting access to the material or not taking any of these actions.”
The state Department of Education ultimately will compile a list of all books that are removed or discontinued as a result of objections and, as a requirement of the law, “disseminate the list to school districts for consideration in their selection procedures.”
Under the rule, districts by June 30 of each year will be required to report their objection lists to the state Department of Education. The department subsequently would publish the statewide objections list by August 30.
State Board of Education Chairman Ben Gibson touted the rule as allowing for a “standardized reporting mechanism” statewide.
“It does continue to provide transparency for our families. It will also give us a way to post that material, which is required,” Gibson said.
But the larger push to ramp up scrutiny of school-library books and other materials has drawn strong objections from groups that advocate for First Amendment rights.
A federal lawsuit filed last week included plaintiffs such as the free-speech organization PEN America. The challenge alleged that Escambia County’s school district violated the First Amendment by removing or restricting access to more than 150 library books.
“Ensuring that students have access to books on a wide range of topics and expressing a diversity of viewpoints supports a core function of public education, preparing students to be thoughtful and engaged citizens,” the organization said in a statement Wednesday.
Meanwhile, new requirements related to the process of restricting or removing books soon will be coming online in Florida.
A new law (HB 1069) signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis last week includes a requirement that any books objected to on the bases that they contain pornographic material or describe “sexual conduct” be removed within five days of an objection and remain unavailable to students until the objection is resolved.
The measure is slated to take effect in July.
The incoming requirements came up during a brief discussion between state board member Grazie P. Christie and Paul Burns, a chancellor with the state education department.
“When a person, when a parent or member of the district objects to a work, how soon does the school district have to respond? I mean, I can imagine a scenario where you find an objectionable book and you know that your third-grader has access to it, and you’re worried about every day that goes by that your third-grader is walking by that pornographic book, for instance,” Christie said.
Burns noted that each district is responsible for setting their own policies about objectionable materials.
“I will say that, I’m kind of foreshadowing here, that you might see us coming back to this board. Because there was some legislation … that’s going to continue to help with this work,” Burns replied in part.
The post Florida book objection list approved appeared first on WMNF.
Listen:
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/NEWS_NCFCensureweb.mp3New College of Florida faculty have voted to censure the college’s Board of Trustees. Faculty mentioned a long list of grievances in a letter sent to the school’s leadership.
Miriam Wallace, English professor and co-author of the letter, wrote the motion to censure with a clear message:
“It says here are the things we think need improvement, and if you want to take it up positively, we’re inviting you to improve on these points.”
The letter claims that the board of trustees is not fulfilling its fiduciary duties. One of the key moments that worried faculty was when the board voted to deny some faculty tenure.
“We pretty much have to go to where the job is, which means you uproot your family, you move your whole household. So people want to know that if they do that they have some kind of job security.”
They cited other concerns such as board members making disparaging comments on social media about the New College community, and not being fully transparent about financial conflicts.
However, there wasn’t 100% faculty support on the censure. Some faculty were, and still are, scared of what might happen next.
“People are concerned that there might be some kind of retaliation. Now, that is illegal. But we’re in a very murky place and people are fearful.”
The school said that the complaints are false and cites a resistance to change. However, Wallace disagrees.
“Courses are changing, programs are changing, new programs have been starting all the time, so I don’t think resistance to change is really our problem. Resistance to a lack of vision about where we’re going.”
The post New College of Florida faculty censures board of trustees appeared first on WMNF.
New College students celebrated their official commencement ceremony Friday night. It came one day after an alternative graduation students held to protest the conservative direction that Governor Ron DeSantis has taken the school over the last several months.
Jacob Silverman studied philosophy and religion, and he’s looking at interning as a paralegal of going to Tokyo for work. He was wearing a white suit of armor as a nod to his favorite anime.
“So this is a Kaiba outfit.”
He was originally going to wear a cap and gown and a suit, until he got an email from interim president Richard Corcoran encouraging him to wear that.
“I kind of instantaneously knew I just had to do the opposite of that. And Yu-Gi-Oh! is like a very important thing from my childhood. I joke that I relate to this character a lot, so it felt like a fitting way to end my New College career.”
Richard Corcoran is a former Republican House Speaker. He was appointed New College’s interim president by its Board of Trustees, many of whom were put in place this year by DeSantis. Silverman encouraged current students to stick it out in spite of recent changes.
“The school is just amazing and the students just need to remember the administrative does not control the school, we control it. So as long as these wonderful students we have remain here I don’t think the school’s going to change, ultimately.”
Jovi Christos graduated with a degree in gender studies. They also attended the alternative graduation, where they said they felt like students could exist and be their authentic selves.
“And talking to professors and students outside an environment that feels polarized or politicized.”
Christos’ gender studies professor, Miriam Wallace started working there in 1995, and said recent attacks on gender studies and African American history are not new.
“And when she had told me, ‘Oh yea, they didn’t take us seriously then, and they might not take us seriously now, but we’ve been here the whole time.”
Christos plans to take some additional classes, and go back in the fall to show their support for current students as they endure a changing curriculum in an institution that has fallen under cultural division. It’s also under the shadow of a potential presidential campaign as DeSantis is expected to announce a run this week.
The post New College of Florida seniors graduate, but their struggle continues appeared first on WMNF.
Episode 13, 05.16.2023, Entrepreneurship -Interview with Arbra Tawwab A Black Business Owners of Wellness Retreat/ ABNB in Lutz, Florida
The post Episode 13, 05.16.2023, Entrepreneurship -Interview with Arbra Tawwab A Black Business Owners of Wellness Retreat/ ABNB in Lutz, Florida appeared first on WMNF.
Episode 12, 05.09.2023-Interview with Dr. Carolyn Collins as the Chair of the Jackson House Foundation to Replicate/Preserve the Historical Jackson Rooming House Building At Its Original Site.
The post Episode 12, 05.09.2023-Interview with Dr. Carolyn Collins as the Chair of the Jackson House Foundation to Replicate/Preserve the Historical Jackson Rooming House Building At Its Original Site. appeared first on WMNF.
The New College of Florida holds its official commencement tonight. Students upset with Governor DeSantis’ recent changes to leadership on campus, held an alternative graduation last night as a form of protest. They invited civil rights activist Maya Wiley to deliver the commencement address.
When asked what she would say to Governor Ron DeSantis, graduating senior Madison Markham said she would ask the governor to recognize human decency. Florida’s Governor began the week by signing a bill that limits Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion classes by barring state funding for courses or activities. That’s after DeSantis fired the New College president in February, replaced her with former Republican House Speaker Richard Corcoran, and appointed a new majority of conservative members on the school’s Board of Trustees the same month. At tomorrow’s official ceremony, a former Trump advisor named Scott Atlas is scheduled to speak, and so Markham said current students wanted someone different to represent their graduating class.
“The kind of parallel of having somebody that, you know, arguably produced COVID misinformation during the height of the pandemic and us choosing to have someone that stands for the actual real values of the New College community. I think we’re so honored to have somebody that we think embodies what we think makes New College New College. And that’s celebration of diversity, you know advocating for free expression and civil rights.”
Wiley is the CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. She noted that one New College of Florida alumnus renounced white supremacy after attending the college. Here’s an excerpt of her commencement address.
“Derek Black was a white supremacist. His mother was literally the ex-wife of David Duke, the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan. He came here a racist and left here a human…and if that’s what the state fears , then we say you do not stand for the democracy that is the United States of America because we stand for a country that says we are equal. We stand for a country that says we are free. We stand for a country that says we are free to be who we are, to love who we choose to love, to worship the way we choose to worship, and to say the words of Adolph Hitler will not live here. Those words said if you capture the youth you control the future and we are here to say we celebrate you because we know you are the authors of a future that no Adolph Hitler wannabe can ever create for us.”
Wiley said that we live in a country that believes in democracy, but she noted there is also a rise in hate crimes against, Jewish, Black, and LGBTQ communities, which may be exacerbated by a new Florida law to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion in state-funded schools.
“And we know that the difference between being indoctrinated with hate and being filled with love for a community and the ability to be in community across difference is a good quality education. And these laws get in the way of the ability to create the beloved community, which is what Dr. Martin Luther King called for. And you can’t do that….Democracy dies with lies, but it lives in the light of education.”
Graduating history student Lisa Hyde says that hope lives on through alumni.
“There’s just not a lot you can do when you have trustees that refuse tenure to professors that are completely qualified or fire a librarian who has given 5 years to New College. That’s leaving a lot of people feeling dejected, but I think something like this and what they were saying about how now we’re graduated, and now alums, I think there is a lot of hope that there’s a sense of community there.”
Nicholas Floyd graduated with a degree in computer science and said that especially with the potential dangers of AI looming in the near future, now more than ever students need a well-rounded curriculum.
We’re in the period of history where either computers are going to be a real bad thing looking back, or a real good thing looking back. We’re in the breaking point and we need more people who understand the effects of the things that they do; understand socially how it affects people, and understand generally how that radiates out. We don’t need savants anymore. We need fully educated people. Not only is that what’s under attack, they’re trying to reverse it. They’re trying to teach us the bad ways to apply our skills.”
More than 2,600 New College alumni and supporters donated for the alternative graduation. $70,000 is left over for a student activities fund to be controlled by students, which they can use as a firewall of influence against the college in an attempt to maintain the culture they have grown to love over the years. The official commencement ceremony is Friday night in Sarasota.
Graduation photos at the alternative graduation. By Josh Holton/WMNF (5/19/23)
The post New College students hold alternative graduation in protest of recent changes appeared first on WMNF.
Listen:
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/NEWS_SocialStudiesBooksweb.mp3
Florida education officials have rejected dozens of social studies textbooks regarding US History, the Holocaust, and more. One Hillsborough County school board member fears what this means for the future of K-12 education.
According to a press release from the Florida Department of Education, it rejected about 35% of submitted materials. Among the approved materials, many were accepted only after heavy revisions. Some of the revisions got rid of references to the Black Lives Matter movement and social justice.
Hillsborough County School Board member Jessica Vaughn is concerned about what this might mean.
“I’m afraid of what it looks like when leaders in the government try to rewrite or limit student’s access to history”
She ran for school board in 2020 because she believed the education system was heading in the wrong direction. With these recent book rejections, she is still worried.
“When, you know, people don’t actually understand the history of our country, or Civil Rights movement, or, you know, challenges that marginalized communities face intentionally, we can’t really talk about equity, and equality, and the basics that are in our constitution – liberty, freedom – if we don’t understand our history to rectify it.”
Vaughn encourages parents to use public libraries and online resources to fill the gap.
“Don’t be afraid to jump in and teach your kids anything that they might be missing within our school system.”
The post School Board member speaks against rejection of new social studies materials appeared first on WMNF.
The DeSantis Dept. of Education is developing a “Classical and Christian” alternative to the SAT test for all 11th graders in Florida. Yesterday, Governor DeSantis approved HB1537, a massive education bill that mandates, among other things, that by the 2023-2024 school year, each school district in Florida select either the SAT, ACT, or the “Classic Learning Test” to be administered in 11th grade. The Dept. of Education is also rejecting social studies textbooks for being “woke,” and completely altering the academic curricula and campus priorities at New College of Florida & other public universities. Tampa New College alum and one-time Classics major, attorney Matt Newton, and New College alumna, Naomi Campa, now an Asst. Prof. of Classics at the University of Texas at Austin both joined us on MidPoint to talk about the “Classic New College,” the “New New College” and the “Classics” and what these changes may mean for New College and for education in our state.
Remaking New College in the image of Hillsdale CollegeThe Classic Learning Test was created on the premise that traditional standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT have become “increasingly ideological.” It was developed by Classic Learning Initiatives and Jeremy Tate to follow the “great classical and Christian tradition.” However, As of April 2023, only 5% of the 3,931 colleges and universities in the United States accept CLT scores. They are primarily schools with a religious focus and New College of Florida is soon to be added to that list. DeSantis has been very open about his desire to remake New College of Florida into a version of the Michigan-based, right-wing, Christian, Hillsdale College. Our guests considered this misguided co-optation of the study of the Classics to be a sad byproduct of this effort.
Prof. Campa noted that there are no sample tests available on the CLI website, so it is difficult to assess what these tests will address. No doubt tax-payer funds will be spent to prepare students for the test in districts where it is adopted. But to understand the larger political context of this effort to prioritize a “Christian and Classical” education in Florida, Newton pointed us to Pharos. Pharos is a website written and published online at Vassar College, where classical scholars, students, and the public more broadly, can learn about appropriations of Greco-Roman antiquity by hate groups, and right-wing political commentators like Steve Bannon. Newton believes the use of government funds and sponsorship of a Christian religious-based test in a public school system is a violation of the First Amendment.
A school for “Nerds and Geeks, not Jocks and Greeks”It has also been reported that New College is being given large grants of tax-payer funding in next year’s budget to develop a sports program, currently focused on baseball, the college sport played by Governor DeSantis, and for the development of fraternities and sororities on campus. Many of our WMNF listeners who joined the conversation were New College alumni. They deplored the transformation of their school from “Classic New College” to “New New College,” and from a school of “Nerds and Geeks” to a school of “Jocks and Greeks.”
You can listen to the show here, on the WMNF app, or as a WMNF MidPoint podcast, wherever you get your podcasts.
https://sound.wmnf.org/sound/wmnf_230510_100600_12newsW1_423.MP3
The post MidPoint: Classic New College or New New College? appeared first on WMNF.
Florida’s largest union for teachers said Wednesday that they are filing a lawsuit in response to Governor Ron DeSantis’ signing a bill Tuesday. They say the law will make it harder for members to pay their dues, putting unions at risk.
With Florida teacher pay ranked near the bottom nationally, members of the Florida Education Association say the ability of unions to help teachers bargain collectively for higher wages is essential. While DeSantis claims this will save teachers money, President of the FEA, Andrew Spar says the new will actually cost them far more.
“Now we have to find an alternative way of collecting these dollars, which has a cost to it, but more importantly, this requirement for audits.”
The new law also requires unions to recertify if the number of dues-paying members drops below 60% of those eligible to join, and Spar is concerned that making it harder for members to pay dues may force recertification, which is also costly.
“We have unions that have revenue of less than $5,000. And they’re going to be required to do an audit that exceeds their revenue. So yes, this is going to have an impact on them because their dues which they chose to pay, in order to do the work of this union, bringing people together, and now there’s a higher cost because of what this legislation lays out.”
Union contracts with school districts could be at risk if they are unable to recertify. That would impact everything from teacher salaries to health insurance premiums.
A second lawsuit is also challenging Florida’s new union lawHere is information about that ©2023 The News Service of Florida By Jim Saunders
TALLAHASSEE — A new law placing additional restrictions on public-employee unions has been hit with a second legal challenge, with unions representing city workers in South Florida saying it violates the state Constitution.
Three unions representing workers in Miami Beach, North Miami Beach, Deerfield Beach, Riviera Beach and West Palm Beach filed a lawsuit late Tuesday in Leon County circuit court, hours after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the law. Teachers’ unions also filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday arguing that the law violates the U.S. Constitution.
The law, which the Republican-led Legislature passed during a session that ended last week, includes preventing dues from being deducted from workers’ paychecks, forcing union members to make separate payments. Also, for example, it requires gauging how many eligible employees are dues-paying union members. If fewer than 60 percent of eligible employees are members, unions will have to be recertified as bargaining agents.
While the law applies to a variety of public-employee unions across the state, unions representing law-enforcement officers, correctional officers and firefighters are exempted from the restrictions.
The lawsuit filed in Leon County circuit court argues that the law (SB 256) violates collective-bargaining rights under the Florida Constitution. It also argues that the law violates equal-protection rights and unconstitutionally “impairs” already-existing contracts.
“SB 256 is an attack on the fundamental right of public employees to collectively bargain with their employer under (a section of the state Constitution),” the circuit-court lawsuit said. “SB 256 prohibits employees from voluntarily paying dues via deductions from their paychecks and prevents their chosen representatives from negotiating over the same. SB 256 also eliminates the right of public employees to be represented by a union chosen by majority representation irrespective of dues payment despite the fact that Florida is, under our Constitution, a right-to-work state.”
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Miami Beach Municipal Employees AFSCME Local 1554; North Miami Beach, Florida, City Employees Local 3293, AFSCME; and the Professional Managers and Supervisors Association, which represents workers in Deerfield Beach, Riviera Beach and West Palm Beach. Also, the plaintiffs include three union members: Carlos George, a fire equipment mechanic for Miami Beach; Judy Genao, an administrative assistant for the North Miami Beach Police Department; and Al Leal, a telecommunications superintendent for West Palm Beach.
The lawsuit is filed against the state Public Employees Relations Commission, which will carry out the law.
Many of the issues in the lawsuit are similar to allegations in the federal lawsuit filed Tuesday by the Florida Education Association and other teachers’ unions. The education lawsuit, however, focuses on federal — instead of state — constitutional issues.
Supporters of the law have argued that the changes, such as ending dues deductions from paychecks, would provide more transparency to workers.
“They don’t know how much is being deducted when they start deducting from the paycheck,” DeSantis said Wednesday during an appearance in Jacksonville. “What we are saying is that it’s not appropriate to have automatic deductions. If you want to do it, you can write a check and hand it to them.”
The lawsuit filed in circuit court, however, argues that issues such as dues deductions have been collectively bargained and are part of existing contracts. As a result, the lawsuit contends the change violates collective bargaining and improperly impairs contracts.
“The state has no compelling interest in prohibiting dues checkoff clauses entered into voluntarily between employers and employee organizations, and no legislative purpose for that prohibition is described in SB 256,” the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit also alleges that the measure violates equal-protection rights because it exempts unions representing law-enforcement officers, correctional officers and firefighters. For instance, while George and Genao work for a fire department and a police department, they do not belong to the same unions as firefighters and law enforcement officers.
The lawsuit said changes in the law “do not apply equally to all public employees or their unions. Rather they are selectively and arbitrarily applied only to disfavored employees and unions, while certain favored employees and unions — those that are certified to represent police, fire or corrections officers — are inexplicably exempted from SB 256’s abridgements.”
The post Florida’s largest teachers union files lawsuit after union-busting bill signed into law appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WMNFTheScoopDailyDigest2023May09.mp3
Bipartisan bill makes way to governor’s deskFlorida’s health insurance program for low-income kids is set to expand through a bipartisan bill heading to the governor’s desk. Democratic Rep. Robin Bartleman’s plan increases KidCare eligibility for families with incomes up to 300 % of the federal poverty level. Which is about 83,000 a year for a family of four. “It is a way, not to expand Medicaid, I know it has been characterized that way, but to give them time to make an extra dollar and not go from zero or 10 to 20 dollars a kid to $250 a kid. So they can work their way off welfare.” House Speaker Paul Renner stated. Traditional Medicaid is free for enrollees but only below a certain income level. Florida KidCare enrollees are required to pay monthly premiums. Under the old method, families could lose coverage once their income surpassed 200% of the federal poverty level, which is $55,000 dollars for a family of four.
Supporters advocate for Florida amendmentReproductive rights supporters launched a new campaign to pass a constitutional amendment in Florida to protect access to abortions. WMNF’s Chris Young reports that this comes after the governor signed a six-week abortion ban last month.
City Council member home searched by F.B.I.F.B.I. agents searched Seminole Heights home yesterday of recently elected Tampa City Council member, Lynn Hurtak. The F.B.I. seized computers, a phone, and other equipment belonging to Hurtak’s husband reported the Tampa Bay Times. The agents would not release why they were at the home nor what agency they represented. An F.B.I. spokesperson confirmed that a court-authorized search was conducted by the agency at Hurtak’s address. Hurtak’s husband, Tim Burke, is a former journalist who runs a media business and deferred questions to him. Burke said the agents were there because they had a search warrant with his name on it. They spent the day taking Burke’s personal devices and the devices that he uses for his business. Burke declined to share details of the warrant with the Times. Burke runs Burke Communications, a media company, and as of yesterday, Burke Communcations’ website was not working.
Disney revises lawsuitWalt Disney Parks and Resorts yesterday revised a federal lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis after DeSantis signed a bill designed to overturn development agreements involving the entertainment giant. DeSantis signed the bill after the annual legislative session ended on May 5th. The bill sets up a process to nullify agreements reached by Disney and the former Reedy Creek Improvement District board. Disney filed the federal lawsuit last month, alleging that retaliation by DeSantis has economically harmed the company and violated its constitutional rights. DeSantis and Disney began clashing last year after Disney opposed HB 1557 or labeled by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Disney’s amended lawsuit on May 8th added quotes by DeSantis from an interview with Newsmax, and from a news conference that happened on May 5th. “Since our skirmish last year, Disney has not been involved in any of those issues, they have not made a peep. That, ultimately, is the most important, that Disney is not allowed to pervert the system to the detriment of Floridians,” Gov. Ron DeSantis told Newsmax. Reedy Creek Improvement District board has been renamed “The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board” (CFTOD) and members appointed by DeSantis sit on the board. CFTOD has filed a state lawsuit seeking to overturn the development agreements.
Algae bloom in Polk County lakesThe Florida Department of Health in Polk County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in several lakes including Tiger Lake, Scott Lake, Peace River, Lake Hollingsworth, Lake Alfred, and Lake Hancock – South Central. This is in response to water samples taken last week. The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Hancock – South Central. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection collects and analyzes algal bloom samples. To report a bloom to DEP, call the toll-free hotline at 855-305-3903 or report online.
The Friends of Ron DeSantis fundraising decreaseGovernor Ron DeSantis’ political committee raised $161,909 in April, a major decrease from previous months, according to a newly filed finance report. The Friends of Ron DeSantis committee raised nearly $10 million in February and about $3.68 million in March, amid speculation about a possible 2024 White House bid by DeSantis. The committee’s largest cash contribution in April was $25,000 from Building a Better Florida, a committee chaired by lobbyist Michael Corcoran. The committee had about $85.79 million in cash on hand as of April 30, the report shows. The super PAC promoting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plans to have dozens of staff in place in the first 18 states on the GOP presidential primary calendar in the next few weeks. The move by the Never Back Down group indicates that DeSantis’ expected 2024 presidential run announcement is drawing closer. The group is also set to handle on-the-ground organizing for DeSantis, a function typically done by a candidate’s campaign staff.
Program to help underprivileged studentsFor six years now, a college-readiness program has catered to underprivileged, high-achieving students. Wilkine Brutus says Path to College partnered with the school district for a speech competition – addressing the social concerns of high schoolers yesterday.
Information from the Florida Public Radio network, News Service of Florida and Associated Press was used in this report.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WMNFTheScoopDailyDigest2023May09.mp3
The post The Scoop: WMNF’s daily digest of news headlines for Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 appeared first on WMNF.
Many concerned citizens attend the latest school board meeting in an attempt to save Just Elementary School in Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL. There is a proposal to close the school and then re-open it after a year or two was rejected by members of the community.
The fight for Just is seen as part of a larger, right-wing war on public education. The right-wing has been attacking school boards demanding book bans and limits on sex education.
https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2023/05/04/just-elementary-tampa-hillsborough-school-board-attendance-boundaries-montessori/
The post Justice for Just Education appeared first on WMNF.
Listen:
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/NEWS_USRepresentativeCathyCastorweb.mp3The Florida Legislative Session came to a close today, with many historic new changes to our state’s schools. WMNF spoke with Congress Member Kathy Castor at a Tampa elementary school about the future of public education.
Congress member Kathy Castor visited Oak Park Elementary School in East Tampa to recognize Hillsborough County’s “Teacher of the Year”. She danced along with students and thanked the teacher, Miss Barone, for her dedication to teaching.
WMNF spoke with Castor after the ceremony to discuss recently passed legislation that she fears may harm Florida’s public schools.
“They are failing our public school students and schools. Again, we’re the third largest state and we rank 45th in the nation in per-people support. Now, the massive tax giveaway, raiding the public dollars to give to private, for profit schools, give these dollars to wealthy people who do not need it”
The voucher law allows all K-12 students in the state to get taxpayer-funded vouchers for private schools. Castor worries that the vouchers will take away funding from already under-funded schools.
“The voucher giveaway scheme could be the end to many of our great schools and our ability to attract the top talent into our state of Florida.”
She encouraged the public to fight back against that and other education bills, such as the recently passed expansion on what critics call the Don’t Say Gay bill and limits on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
“We have to organize and fight back. We’ve got to push back, especially at the state level, and do whatever you can do to support your local educators in public schools.”
The post Congresswoman Kathy Castor warns voucher law could harm Florida’s public schools appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The_Scoop_230505.mp3 New College of Florida Board of TrusteesThe Florida Senate signed off yesterday on controversial appointments by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the New College of Florida Board of Trustees. DeSantis revamped the board by appointing a slate of conservative members. Since being installed on the board in January, the trustees have shaken up leadership at the small liberal arts college in Sarasota. They were instrumental in removing former President Patricia Okker and replacing her with interim President Richard Corcoran, a Republican former House speaker and state education commissioner. The Senate confirmed the trustees along with dozens of other DeSantis appointees to various offices. The New College trustees confirmed were Ryan Anderson, Mark Bauerlein, Debra Jenks, Charles Kesler, Christopher Rufo, and Matthew Spalding.
Librarian fired at New College of FloridaA librarian at New College of Florida was fired on Monday just weeks before the end of the semester. WMNF’s Ta’Leah Van Sistine spoke with former and current New College faculty about what this means for students and the future of the institution.
Bill being passed that helps protect historic African-American cemeteriesThe state Senate passed a bill that funds efforts to protect historic African-American cemeteries. WMNF’s Chris Young reports that the bill was sparked by a history of neglect of African-American cemeteries.
Florida Bill Banning gender affirming care for KidsA Florida bill banning gender affirming care for kids is on its way to Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk. Regan McCarthy reports opponents have already announced plans to block the measure with a lawsuit.
Hurricane Preparedness Week informationHurricane preparedness week continues, and after exploring topics ranging from understanding forecasts to preparing for storms, we now explore what happens after natural disasters. Meteorologist Megan Borowski from the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network says there are a few things to keep in mind after a storm hits your area, Megan says the final topic for hurricane preparedness week tomorrow is a call to action: Make preparations now, while conditions are quiet, to keep your property and family safe. Tips and checklists can be accessed at flordiadisaster.org.
The post The Scoop: WMNF’s daily digest of news headlines for Friday, May 5th, 2023 appeared first on WMNF.
The Florida Senate on Thursday signed off on controversial appointments by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the New College of Florida Board of Trustees.
DeSantis revamped the board by appointing a slate of conservative members.
Since being installed on the board in January, the trustees have shaken up leadership at the small liberal arts college in Sarasota.
They were instrumental in removing former President Patricia Okker and replacing her with interim President Richard Corcoran, a Republican former House speaker and state education commissioner.
The Senate confirmed the trustees along with dozens of other DeSantis appointees to various offices.
The New College trustees confirmed were Ryan Anderson, Mark Bauerlein, Debra Jenks, Charles Kesler, Christopher Rufo, and Matthew Spalding.
The post Legislature confirms DeSantis’ picks for New College of Florida Trustees appeared first on WMNF.
The Florida Senate on Thursday gave final approval to a bill that would lead to many high-school students seeing later school start times in the future.
The Senate voted 38-2 to pass the bill (HB 733), which was approved March 31 by the House.
Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, and Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Windermere, cast the dissenting votes Thursday.
The bill would prevent middle schools from beginning the “instructional day” earlier than 8 a.m., while high schools would be barred from starting the school day before 8:30 a.m.
The changes would have to go into effect by July 2026.
About 48 percent of Florida’s public high schools start school before 7:30 a.m., according to the Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability.
Another 19 percent of high schools start between 7:30 a.m. and 7:59 a.m.
Some senators Thursday raised questions about how the changes would affect issues such as student transportation and after-school jobs.
But supporters have pointed to studies that say later start times would benefit high-school students.
“What we’re doing now (with earlier start times) is not what’s best for our kids, for the adolescents especially,” Senate sponsor Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, said. “It’s the ‘how’ that can be the hard challenge and the logistics of that and how we make this happen.”
Burgess said the bill would give a three-year “glide path” to address concerns before the requirements would take effect.
The measure is ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
©2023 The News Service of Florida
The post Bill that would make some Florida schools start later passes legislature appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/NewCollegeLibrarian-1.mp3Helene Gold said over the past three weeks, she felt “increasingly out of the loop.”
So, the librarian wasn’t surprised when she received a call on Monday, requesting her immediate presence in the library conference room.
“I hung up the phone,” Gold said, “I looked at my colleague, and I said, ‘It’s happening.’”
She said Bradley Thiessen, the interim provost at New College, and Erika Worthy, the chief human resources officer, were in the conference room. They told Gold that due to “reorganization” at the institution, her position would be eliminated and she would be let go immediately.
Gold had worked at New College for almost five years. She said her firing — less than three weeks before the semester ends — seems “intentionally disruptive.”
Matt Lepinski was an associate professor of computer science, faculty chair and trustee for the New College Board of Trustees up until last week, when he announced his resignation at the most-recent Board meeting.
Lepinski said these “reorganization” efforts at New College are being done without considering current students, as many of them consult with librarians like Gold at this point in the semester.
“The library plays a very key role in the academic program,” Lepinski said, “and that’s especially true at the end of the term when so many students are working on term papers or other large assignments.”
Sarah Hernandez is an associate professor of sociology and Caribbean and Latin American studies at New College. She said Gold’s termination is further proof that good employees are not being appreciated.
“We saw that with the five people who were denied tenure — not on the basis of their record as scholars, their record as teachers or their record as contributors to the community,” Hernandez said. “No, that was not the basis for that denial. So on what basis was it otherwise?”
Yoleidy Rosario-Hernandez, the school’s former dean for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, was also fired from New College in March. Gold said these terminations may be a part of a larger pattern at the institution, as well as the decreasing safety in Florida for the LGBTQ community.
“I fully anticipate other firings,” Gold said, “and we will certainly track that to see if indeed a pattern is emerging.”
The post Former New College librarian says firing was “intentionally disruptive” appeared first on WMNF.
By Jim Saunders ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — As Gov. Ron DeSantis and his allies target “woke” ideology, the Florida House on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that includes preventing colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
The bill (SB 266 / HB 999), which now will go to DeSantis, touched off a fierce debate about Florida’s higher-education system and campus speech.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion, like so many other terms adopted by the woke left, is being used as a club to silence things, to say that if you don’t agree with them, you are somehow racist or homophobic or whatever other word that you want to use to criticize people,” Rep. Randy Fine, R-Brevard County, said. “The fact of the matter is these terms have been hijacked by those who want to use them to bully and use them to shut down debate, to actually do the opposite of what these words are supposed to do.”
But bill critics said diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are important and that the legislation will drive away top faculty members and students.
“This attack on higher education is hurting Florida’s brand,” House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, said. “We have a very good higher-education system with lower costs than many other states. But these radical changes risk throwing our colleges and universities into chaos.”
The Republican-controlled House voted 81-34 along party lines to pass the bill, which the Senate approved 27-12 last week.
DeSantis has made “woke” ideology a frequent target in education and other issues, such as in the investment of government money. As an example, he overhauled the New College of Florida Board of Trustees this year, with his appointees moving quickly to scuttle diversity, equity and inclusion — often known by the shorthand “DEI” — initiatives.
The bill that passed Wednesday includes a series of higher-education changes. For instance, it would require the State Board of Education and state university system’s Board of Governors to appoint faculty committees that would review general-education core courses. Those reviews could lead to the “removal, alignment, realignment, or addition” of courses based on various criteria in the bill.
“General education core courses may not distort significant historical events or include a curriculum that teaches identity politics … or is based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities,” the bill says.
But the debate Wednesday focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.
The bill, in part, would prevent spending money “to promote, support, or maintain any programs or campus activities that … (advocate) for diversity, equity, and inclusion, or promote or engage in political or social activism, as defined by rules of the State Board of Education and regulations of the (state university system’s) Board of Governors.”
Rep. Ashley Gantt, D-Miami, disputed that diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have hurt the higher education system, saying Florida universities have risen in national rankings in recent years. She and other Democrats pointed to harm to schools and students if the initiatives are blocked.
“Whenever people shield their children from the truth, a generation of ignorance is born,” Rep. Dianne Hart, D-Tampa, said.
But House bill sponsor Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, said the initiatives hurt schools and students.
“DEI’s intellectual fragility makes campuses less safe, less intelligent and less free for the students who should be learning to think for themselves,” Andrade said.
— News Service staff writer Ryan Dailey contributed to this report.
The post Florida lawmakers target university campus diversity efforts appeared first on WMNF.
By Ryan Dailey ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — In one of the most-controversial education issues of the 2023 legislative session, the Florida Senate on Wednesday passed a measure that would expand last year’s “Parental Rights in Education” law — known to critics as “don’t say gay.”
The bill, which is ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis, also seeks to restrict the way teachers and students can use their preferred pronouns in schools, a provision that has drawn ire from LGBTQ-advocacy groups.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted 27-12 along straight party lines to pass the bill (HB 1069), with Democrats arguing the measure is an effort to “legislate away the gay.” The House voted 77-35 to pass the bill last month. DeSantis is expected to sign it.
Last year’s law bars instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. But the measure approved Wednesday would broaden the prohibition to pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
Senate sponsor Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, and other bill supporters said it is geared toward protecting children who are “at more impressionable ages” and allowing parents to be in control of such discussions.
“This legislation will protect the rights of parents to have a say in their children’s education and ensure that students are not subjected to inappropriate material,” Yarborough said.
“Teachers should be able to spend their time focusing on skills that help a child succeed in life, not delving into every social issue or being forced to use language that would violate their personal convictions,” Yarborough added.
But Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book, D-Davie, said the bill “marginalizes children” and represents an insult to teachers.
“This bill insults the professionalism of educators. It takes away freedom of speech, freedom of thought and freedom to be treated equally in our public schools,” Book said.
Wednesday’s vote came after the State Board of Education last month approved a rule change that largely prohibited instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades. The rule dealt with an educators’ code of conduct and spelled out that teachers could face suspension or revocation of their educator certificates for violations of the rule.
Speaking to reporters after the bill passed, Yarborough said putting an expanded prohibition into law “establishes a floor.” Rules often can be more easily changed than laws.
“Our bill, if that rule were to change, with the law still in place, the floor would be eighth grade,” Yarborough said.
The bill also would require that it “shall be the policy” of every public school that “a person’s sex is an immutable biological trait and that it is false to ascribe to a person a pronoun that does not correspond to such person’s sex.”
Teachers and other school employees would be prohibited from telling students their preferred pronouns and would be barred from asking students about their preferred pronouns.
Sen. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, characterized the bill as a move toward “common sense.”
“Raising small children in this climate carries with it a lot of challenges today. And you see society coming at our children in a culture war, that it has an agenda to make them confused,” Grall said.
The bill also would build on another controversial 2022 law that increased scrutiny of school-library books and instructional materials. The bill, in part, would take steps to make the process of objecting to books and instructional materials easier.
For example, the bill would require that forms used for objecting to books to be “easy to read and understand” and be readily accessible on school districts’ websites.
In instances where an objection is made based on possible pornographic content or material that “describes sexual conduct,” the bill would require the materials to be removed from schools within five days of the objection and “remain unavailable to students of that school until the objection is resolved.”
Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, described that part of the bill as a “ban-first, review-later” policy.
The Senate debate laid bare a fundamental disagreement between Democrats and Republicans about whether the bill amounts to “disrespect” of LGBTQ youths.
“What we’re doing here is codifying disrespect, just because someone is different than us,” Sen. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, said.
But Yarborough rebutted Democrats’ arguments.
“This bill is not giving rise to someone being disrespected, because you can love and respect someone as another human being without agreeing with every choice they make or every view they have. We see that every day in the Senate,” Yarborough said.
Polsky, however, said the measure targets LGBTQ people.
“Trans is a fact of life. Gay is a fact of life. You can’t legislate away the gay, as much as you might try,” Polsky said.
The post Florida’s controversial Don’t Say Gay / Parental Rights in Education law is set to expand appeared first on WMNF.
Becoming a young entrepreneur could offer a higher quality of life as a business owner; you learn to problem solve and grow your business in multifaceted industries.
The post Episode 11, 05/01/2023-Entrepreneurship Series: Merric Jackson, a young entrepreneur as a Chef and Real Estate Broker appeared first on WMNF.
Listen:
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/NEWS_Dontsaygayexpansionweb.mp3An expansion on what critics call the Don’t Say Gay bill was heard in the Florida Senate today. However, a new provision to the bill garnered strong criticism from Democratic senators.
The bill seeks to censor instruction on gender identity up to 8th grade. However, a new provision requires that schools remove any material whenever any member of the public objects to it.
The bill is sponsored by Republican senator Clay Yarborough.
“The bill increases the transparency of library and classroom materials, and helps parents be better informed about those materials,” Yarborough said.
That drew criticism from Democratic senators, including Tina Scott Polsky.
“Why don’t we trust our teachers? Why don’t we trust our school librarians? Why don’t we trust the people we each elected to our school boards? Some Joe Shmoe comes in off the street and says ‘I don’t like this book about Roberto Clemente, take it off’ and that’s it? That’s all it takes?”
Polsky and other Democratic senators proposed amendments, including one that would have required those who object to materials to be parents of children in the school system. None of the amendments passed.
The post Florida Senate considers “Don’t Say Gay” bill expansion with controversial new provision sparking criticism appeared first on WMNF.
4/10/2023, Episode 10, Entrepreneurship Series: Fundamental on using credit cards to improve your credit approval and have additional resources for your business.
The post Episode 10, Entrepreneurship Series: Fundamental on using credit cards to improve your credit approval and have additional resources for your business. appeared first on WMNF.
03/06/2023, Episode 8, Entrepreneurship Series: Mr. Ken Jones on How to register businesses with the minority Small Business Enterprise Division
The post Episode 8, Entrepreneurship Series: Mr. Ken Jones on How to register businesses with the minority Small Business Enterprise Division appeared first on WMNF.
Entrepreneurship Series: How to Register a Business with the State of Florida and Mr. Curtiss Stokes, a banker, and what happens when you submit a business loan?
The post Episode 7, Entrepreneurship Series: How to Register a Business with the State of Florida and Mr. Curtis Stokes, a banker, and what happens when you submit a business loan? appeared first on WMNF.
- Episode 2, 11/14/2022, What is Web 3?
The vision for this new, blockchain-based web includes cryptocurrencies, NFTs, DAOs, decentralized finance, and more.
The post Episode 2, 11/14/2022, What is Web 3? The vision for this new, blockchain-based web includes cryptocurrencies, NFTs, DAOs, decentralized finance, and more. appeared first on WMNF.
- Episode 3, 12/11/2022, What is Arutisuse? Arutisuse is a new Black Americans holiday dating back to the 70s. How Foster care agency continues to exist in a critical state for thousands of Florida children.
The post Episode 3, What is Arutisuse? Arutisuse is a new Black Americans’ holiday dating back to the 70s. How Foster care agency continues to exist in a critical state for thousands of Florida children. appeared first on WMNF.
- Episode 5, 02/06/2023, Entrepreneurship Series: What is entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurship is setting up a business or businesses and taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.
The post Episode 5, Entrepreneurship Series: What is entrepreneurship? Entrepreneurship is setting up businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit. appeared first on WMNF.
The post Episode 6, 01/30/2023, Entrepreneurship Series: Mr. Michael Trigg, owner of Konan Bar-B-Que Restaurant, Carver City, Tampa. How to sustain and grow in the restaurant business? appeared first on WMNF.
By Ryan Dailey ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Leon County Superintendent of Schools Rocky Hanna is pushing back against an effort by state education officials to punish him, including potentially revoking Hanna’s educator certificate, because of issues such as the school district requiring masks to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In an April 4 letter addressed to Hanna, state Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr., said “probable cause exists to justify sanctions” against Hanna’s certificate. Included was an administrative complaint filed at the state Education Practices Commission, which can discipline educators.
The complaint, signed by Diaz, listed a series of “material allegations” against Hanna, including that the superintendent defied Gov. Ron DeSantis on the mask issue.
“Respondent (Hanna), in his capacity as Superintendent of Schools for Leon County Florida, has a history of defying the law or failing to follow the law with fidelity as demonstrated in August of 2021 when Respondent mandated the wearing of masks in Leon County schools in conflict with an executive order issued by the Governor,” the complaint said.
Hanna, a former high-school principal who twice has been elected to lead the district, said in a statement Thursday that it is a “sad day for democracy in Florida.”
“How this is being handled and the tactics the Florida Department of Education is using to create this ‘investigation,’ are certainly a serious cause for concern not just for myself, but for any superintendent or school employee in the state of Florida,” Hanna said.
Hanna could face penalties including a reprimand, fine, probation, “restriction of the scope of practice,” suspension of up to five years or permanent revocation of his educator credentials.
The Education Practices Commission, according to the complaint, could impose “one or a combination” of those penalties.
The complaint also included an allegation that Hanna sent an email to teachers that “left an impression” they could ignore state laws that “addressed issues of objectionable curriculum content.” The complaint did not specify the laws, but it referred to “a series of laws codifying and clarifying parental rights of control over sensitive materials presented” to students.
An excerpt from Hanna’s email was included in the complaint.
“I realize this is improper grammar but, ‘You do You’! Continue to teach the standards as you have always done and do not worry for one minute about naysayers political and others who are trying to mislead people and control what you can and cannot say in the classroom,” the excerpt said.
A response to Hanna’s email that was included in the complaint took issue with a phrase Hanna used.
“Respondent’s declaration to teachers that ‘You do You!,’ opens the door to teachers imposing their own individual political and religious views on students and teachers failing to teach with fidelity the Florida standards established” by the State Board of Education, the response said.
Brandi Andrews, who described herself as a parent of Leon County students and an executive board member of the county chapter of the group Moms for Liberty, brought Hanna’s email to the attention of state leaders.
Andrews sent a letter to DeSantis that included a list of complaints about Hanna and requested the superintendent’s removal. The letter, which a spokesman for the Leon school district said was included in a file related to the investigation, was stamped with the slogan “Let’s Go Brandon” — a derogatory slogan used by conservatives to chide President Joe Biden.
Andrews in the letter noted that she had met First Lady Casey DeSantis and mentioned “filming a campaign ad” for the governor.
In his statement, Hanna slammed the “politically motivated letter” and its inclusion of a “hateful and divisively partisan” slogan.
Diaz’s complaint also cited a February email from Hanna that allegedly advised parents of Leon County students about a “civic-engagement event” at the Capitol, with students able to get excused absences from school if they attended. The event, according to the complaint, was a march and rally to protest the education department’s objections to an Advanced Placement African American Studies course.
Diaz wrote that Hanna’s “encouragement of a demonstration objecting to course content review by the State Board of Education, suggests a disregard for the statutory process” and state standards.
But Hanna alleged that the case against him is purely political.
“Let’s be clear, this investigation has nothing to do with these spurious allegations, but rather everything to do with attempting to silence myself and anyone else who speaks up for teachers and our public schools in a way that does not fit the political narrative of those in power,” Hanna said.
Alex Lanfranconi, a spokesman for the Department of Education, said Thursday the agency doesn’t “comment on pending educator misconduct cases.”
“Any teacher with an extensive history of repeated violations of Florida law would be subject to consequences up to and including losing their educator certificate. Nothing about this case is special,” Lanfranconi said in an email.
Hanna was given four options to respond to the administrative complaint: a formal hearing at the state Division of Administrative Hearings; a settlement agreement in which Hanna could “accept certain conditions in order to resolve the case;” an informal hearing before the Education Practices Commission; or the voluntary surrender of his certificate.
“In the next two weeks I must choose one” of the options, Hanna wrote in the statement.
The post State targets Leon County Superintendent of Schools; Rocky Hanna calls it a “sad day for democracy in Florida” appeared first on WMNF.
The New College of Florida Board of Trustees voted 7 to 4 yesterday afternoon to deny tenure to five faculty members. Students and some board members worry about what this could mean for the future of the liberal arts college.
The vote followed an intense debate among the Trustees. Six of them were appointed by Governor DeSantis in January in an effort to create what he calls a classical education at New College. The Trustees were frequently interrupted by heckling from the crowd of students and others during the nearly 3 hour-long meeting. About 50 members of the public spoke in favor of retaining the professors by awarding them tenure. One student Brendan Hirsch called out a tweet by new conservative activist on the board Christopher Rufo.
“Maya Angelou once said, ‘When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.’ Let me read a tweet from our own Chris Rufo, quote, ‘We have successfully frozen their brand Critical Race Theory to the public conversation and are steadily driving up negative perceptions. We will eventually turn it toxic as we put all of the various cultural insanities under this brand category. The goal is to have the public read something crazy in the newspaper and immediately think of Critical Race Theory. We have decodified the term and will recodify it to annex the entire range of cultural constructions that are unpopular with Americans.’ When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
During his report, interim president Richard Corcoran drew laughter when he touted rosy enrollment prospects and attracting new faculty. But Corcoran argued against tenure in light of his plan to overhaul the curriculum. One of the longer-term Trustees, New College professor Matthew Lepinski said the extraordinary changes bring the college to a sensitive moment.
“…where we also need a little bit of stability. And I’m concerned about the way that we might risk destabilizing programs to the detriment of our current students, if we go and categorically deny tenure to people who have demonstrated loyalty to the school.”
The Board of Trustee’s legal counsel said the professors were eligible to reapply for tenure next year. Still, the majority of the board voted to deny early tenure for five applicants. That move prompted Lepinski to quit.
“I’m very concerned about the direction that this board is going, and the destabilization of the academic program. And so I wish you the best of luck, but this is my last board meeting. I’m leaving the college.”
Lepinski offered no further explanation for his resignation. The meeting adjourned with a crowd shouting “shame on you” at the remaining Trustees.
Video from the full meeting available here:
The post New College Board of Trustees denies early tenure to some faculty, extending controversy appeared first on WMNF.
By Ryan Dailey ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House on Wednesday passed a measure that would put new requirements on universities related to debates and other campus forums, with supporters saying it would bolster free speech but critics arguing it could have unintended consequences.
The Republican-controlled House voted 82-34 along near-party lines to approve the bill (HB 931), which still needs to pass the Senate before it could go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The proposal (HB 931) also would prevent state colleges and universities from requiring students and staff to complete “political loyalty” tests as a condition of admission or employment.
Under the bill, each university would be required to establish an Office of Public Policy Events, which would be responsible for organizing, publicizing and staging at least four debates or forums per year.
“Such debates and group forums must include speakers who represent widely held views on opposing sides of the most widely discussed public policy issues of the day and who hold a wide diversity of perspectives from within and outside of the state university community,” the bill says.
But several House Democrats criticized the bill for not defining “widely held views.” Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, argued that leaving the issue open to interpretation could benefit some groups over others.
“I think it’s hard to dictate what is a widely held view. That often can take the shape of who is in political power at that time, who is the biggest donor to a university, who’s the biggest donor to the governor. I just am very concerned that we actually are not creating an environment with freedom of speech, because some speech will be preferred over others,” Eskamani said.
Supporters of the bill, however, argued that it would help protect campus free speech. Rep. Doug Bankson, R-Apopka, called higher-education institutions “a crucible of free thought.”
“It is our foundational right to have freedom of speech. This great bill protects those things. It makes sure that all voices can be heard. Because truth has its own legs, it can stand on its own when it’s given the chance to be heard,” Bankson said.
Rep. Rita Harris, D-Orlando, contended that not all arguments deserve equal airtime.
“I’m sorry but Nazism, there is no pro (side), there is no flip-side to the coin,” Harris said.
Bill sponsor Spencer Roach, R-North Fort Myers Republican, pushed back on Harris’ argument.
“I would argue that Nazism is not a widely held idea. But let me ask you this — if a speaker came onto campus advocating that we should reinstitute slavery; that we should exterminate the Jewish population, I would say this, ‘So what?’ And I will quote our 28th president, Woodrow Wilson, when he said, ‘The best way to expose a fool is to allow him to rent out a hall and put forth his ideas to his fellow citizens,” Roach said.
The measure also would require that, if a school’s Office of Public Policy Events can’t “readily find an advocate from within the state university community who is well-versed in a perspective,” the office would invite a speaker and provide a per-diem and a reimbursement for travel expenses.
Democrats also questioned why the measure did not include a cap on how much money could be provided to invited speakers.
The part of the bill that seeks to prohibit political loyalty tests defines such tests as “compelling, requiring, or soliciting a person to identify commitment to or to make a statement of personal belief in support of” things such as a specific partisan, political, or ideological set of beliefs.
Such tests also could not require statements of support for any “ideology or movement that promotes the differential treatment of a person or a group of persons based on race or ethnicity, including an initiative or a formulation of diversity, equity, and inclusion” beyond upholding the Constitution.
The post Florida House passes a bill adding regulations for campus debates and forums appeared first on WMNF.
The Florida House on Wednesday could pass a measure that would require school districts to share local property-tax revenue with charter schools.
House members took up the bill Tuesday, setting it up for a vote. Under the proposal (HB 1259), tax dollars collected through discretionary 1.5-mill local levies would be shared based on charter schools’ proportionate share of districts’ total enrollment.
The money, known as “capital outlay” funds, can be used for such things as purchasing property and constructing facilities.
Charter schools largely receive such funding through the state budget. The measure also includes a phased-in approach to sharing the money, with bill sponsor Jennifer Canady, R-Lakeland, describing it as a “five-year glide path.” The plan calls for districts to share a portion of 20 percent of the money in the 2023-2024 fiscal year; a portion of 40 percent in the 2024-2025 fiscal year; a portion of 60 percent in 2025-2026; a portion of 80 percent in 2026-2027; and a portion of 100 percent in 2027-2028 and beyond. A House staff analysis estimated districts would be required to distribute nearly $56 million to charter schools in the first year, based on a projected enrollment of 371,253 charter school students.
©2023 The News Service of Florida
The post Florida House is set to approve requirement for public school districts to share tax revenue with charter schools appeared first on WMNF.
Listen:
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NEWS_NewCollegeTenureweb.mp3New College of Florida trustees are set to defer or outright deny tenure to five faculty members at their next meeting. This comes as the Governor seeks to transform the college.
New College’s interim president, Richard Corcoran, is seeking to halt the tenure process at the next board meeting, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Corcoran cites “extraordinary circumstances” and what the memo calls “a renewed focus on ensuring the College is moving towards a more traditional liberal arts institution”.
This comes during Governor DeSantis’s overhaul of the school. He appointed new conservative members to the board of trustees that later fired the school’s president and replaced her with Corcoran.
One of the newly appointed trustees, Christopher Rufo, emphasized in January that the school needed the overhaul.
“This is kind of a crisis situation. I wouldn’t be here if there were not a significant problem.”
The overhaul has been met with resistance from New College students. Student Kacie Bates spoke at a rally on campus in February.
“All we are asking from our government is for them to get out of our education and let universities and colleges continue to graduate successful students like they have been!”
At a board meeting Monday, Interim President Richard Corcoran told board members that enrollment for next year is “a little bit down” according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
The next board meeting is set for Wednesday, April 26th. New College Community groups are planning to rally on campus the same day at noon.
The post New College of Florida faces faculty tenure denial amidst Governor’s transformation plan appeared first on WMNF.
By Ryan Dailey ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — A measure that seeks to prevent colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives is ready to go before the full Senate amid strong objections from Democrats, with one Black senator calling the proposal “racist at its core.”
The bill (SB 266) also has reignited a debate about academic freedom on campuses, in part because it could lead to changes related to general core courses.
The Republican-controlled Senate Fiscal Policy Committee approved the proposal Thursday after an hours-long and at-times tense debate. A similar House bill (HB 999) also is primed to go before the full House.
Part of the Senate bill that has generated controversy would prevent schools from spending state or federal money “to promote, support, or maintain any programs or campus activities” that advocate for “diversity, equity, and inclusion, or promote or engage in political or social activism,” as defined by the State Board of Education or state the university system’s Board of Governors.
Senate bill sponsor Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, argued that diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives, are discriminatory.
“We want diverse viewpoints. We want fair treatment and full participation of all people, and an environment that examines ideas freely. The ideas of, maybe, why there have been inequalities in the past. But modern DEI initiatives, under the guise of social justice or critical theory, seek to increase representation of some groups through discrimination against members of other groups,” Grall said.
The push to eliminate DEI programs in higher education has been a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis during the legislative session. DeSantis’ administration this year also directed colleges and universities to provide lists of DEI initiatives on each campus and the costs associated with them.
The bill approved Thursday would carry out a DeSantis proposal to end such spending. DeSantis said the programs would “wither on the vine.”
But faculty members and other people on college and university campuses have fought the bill.
“We’re really concerned about this being a backlash about, really, a democratic, diverse society,” Candi Churchill, executive director of the United Faculty of Florida union, said during Thursday’s meeting.
Democrats also criticized part of the bill that deals with general core courses. The State Board of Education, which oversees state colleges, and the universities’ Board of Governors would be required to appoint faculty committees that would review core course options. Those reviews could lead to the “removal, alignment, realignment, or addition” of courses based on various criteria.
One requirement would be that core courses could not teach “identity politics,” or be “based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities.”
Grall faced questions from Democrats about the proposed prohibition on instruction about systemic racism.
Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Windermere, said the University of Florida, for example, “for 100 years had no African American students.”
“Would you believe that it was happenstance that there were no African American students? Or could that be attributed to systemic racism?” Thompson asked.
“I don’t believe that the things in our history are necessarily happenstance,” Grall replied. “This bill does not seek to erase a history of racism that has existed during certain parts of our history, or any other persecution of any group across the globe … What it does is, it says that we are not going to present one point of view with regard to all of the institutions of the United States.”
Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami Gardens, became emotional as he argued against the bill.
“I don’t care what you can say that this policy does and does not do, the crux of this policy and a lot of the policies that we’re passing is racist at its core,” Jones said.
The wide-ranging measure also seeks to make changes such as giving university presidents ultimate authority over hiring decisions at their schools.
As the legislation has moved through the process, it also has spurred objections from academics outside of Florida.
Irene Mulvey, president of the Washington, D.C.-based American Association of University Professors, spoke against the bill during the meeting. Mulvey said higher education is organized around a “framework based on academic freedom and shared governance” — and characterized the bill as a threat to its foundation.
“By dismantling this framework that underlies American higher-ed, and so brazenly undermining the role of faculty, SB 266 will lead to diminished educational quality. And this will show up before you know it in measurable ways. In faculty leaving, in rankings, in accreditation, in applications, in enrollment and donations,” said Mulvey, who is a professor of mathematics at Fairfield University in Connecticut.
The post Senate panel backs ending higher ed ‘DEI’; Florida’s controversial HB 999 now goes to the full House and Senate appeared first on WMNF.
Listen:
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NEWS_CharterSchoolsweb.mp3A controversial bill advanced in a Senate subcommittee Thursday that will divert some public school funds to charter schools. Democratic senators worry about the effect this will have on under-funded public schools.
The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Travis Hutson, is meant to use a portion of public school funds to maintain charter schools.
This comes after the governor signed a new law making every Florida student eligible for taxpayer-financed vouchers to attend private schools worth about $8,000 dollars.
“I’m deeply concerned about this coupled with the voucher bill and the landscape of traditional public schools in our state.”
That was Democratic Senator Lauren Book. Other senators, including Democratic Senator Tina Polsky, mentioned the poor conditions some Florida public schools are already in.
“I don’t think you just give a blank check to a charter school. There are some in my district that are brand new. These beautiful new buildings- so, then are they going to build a pickleball court for their kids and ours don’t even have- public schools don’t even have air conditioning?”
Republican Senator Dennis Baxley supported the bill, claiming that choice is fundamental when it comes to education.
“There is something in making a choice that is a self-fulfilling prophecy. If it doesn’t work, we can still make another change. And this funding method to try to accommodate and support this idea of people with choices is a good thing.”
The bill advanced along party lines.
The post Democrats fear for public schools as new Senate bill advances appeared first on WMNF.
Listen:
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NEWS_DOELGBTweb.mp3The State Board of Education unanimously voted for a proposal that would largely prohibit instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools.
Last year, the legislature and Governor DeSantis approved what critics called the “Don’t Say Gay” law. Now, the State Department of Education passed a similar proposal sponsored by Chancellor Paul Burns.
“These rules will continue to ensure that educators engage in standards-based instruction that is age and developmentally-appropriate.” Burns said
During public comment at the State Board of Education meeting, most people spoke against the rule. That includes Joe Saunders with the LGBT activist group Equality Florida.
“Like the legislature, the board has provided no definitions for what instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity means, even as you’ve stretched the impact of this terrible policy into every classroom in the state.”
However, some spoke in favor, such as Jessica Graham from Moms for Liberty.
“This rule takes some of the stress and pressure off of our amazing teachers and allows them to focus on the subjects they are trained to teach. The conversations this rule addresses are not a school or teacher’s responsibility to have.”
The State Board of Education unanimously supported the rule change.
Meanwhile, there are bills in the legislature expanding on Florida’s Don’t Say Gay law. If passed, the bills would broaden the prohibition on sexual orientation and gender identity to pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
The post Department of Education votes to prohibit LGBTQ instruction appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NEWS_HB999V-1.mp3A controversial bill that makes a series of higher education changes is close to passing the Florida Legislature. It advanced through the House Education & Employment Committee today.
HB 999 would prevent state colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. It would also direct the state university system’s Board of Governors to “periodically review the mission” of each school, including its academic programs. But many students, faculty, and others are strongly opposed to this bill.
Democrat Patricia Williams voted against the bill. “If we are listening to the people that voted for us, we will not be voting on 999 as of today. Because out of all of the ones that came up again not one of them said this is something we want. As we continue down this road, things will get a lot worse before it gets better. Florida is becoming the laughing stock of the world. Because we want everybody to think in this little box and we are all individual people, we all have history.”
Rights groups are concerned that the bill would chill and censor speech on campuses, including analysis of racism. But Republicans on the committee, like Fabián Basabe are not concerned about that the bill would do that. “We’ve done so much to do this, to protect our diversity, to celebrate our diversity, and I think the notion of systemic racism does lend itself an opportunity to start addressing the systemic entitlement.”
HB 999 cleared this committee on a vote of 14 to 5.
The post HB 999 cleared the House Education & Employment Committee appeared first on WMNF.
The Sarasota County School Board voted yesterday to reject a $28,000 consulting contract with Jordan Adams, through his new consulting firm Vermillion. Nearly 80 speakers voiced concerns during an almost four-hour public comment, mostly in opposition to the hire.
Adams is a former associate of Hillsdale College, which is a conservative Christian based school in Michigan. Governor Ron Desantis said he intends to use Hillsdale as a model to recreate Florida’s progressive New College of Florida.
Dr. Jill Luis Spector, member of League of Women voters, opposed the hiring of consultant Jordan Adams.
“Additionally, we support the separation of church and state in our public school. And paid consultants should be secular and void of advocacy of a specific religion.”
Sarasota school board chair Bridgette Ziegler, is one of the cofounders of right wing group moms for liberty. She initially suggested hiring Vermillion late last month. Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Ziegler to help pick the new President of New College, as well as the new board that oversees Disney.
The post Sarasota School Board rejects contract with consultant tied to Hillsdale College appeared first on WMNF.
By Ryan Dailey ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — A proposal that would require school districts to share local property-tax revenue with charter schools is teed up for consideration by the full House, after a committee debate Monday about whether it could bring “parity.”
Property taxes collected through discretionary 1.5-mill local levies go toward such things as constructing and renovating traditional public schools and buying land. Meanwhile, charter schools largely receive such money through the state budget.
The Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee voted 20-7 along party lines Monday to approve a bill (HB 1259) that would allow charter schools to receive part of the local money. Charter schools are public schools but often are run by private organizations.
“Eventually, over time, charter school students will be on parity with district public school students in terms of the 1.5 mills,” bill sponsor Jennifer Canady, R-Lakeland, said.
Under the bill, school districts would be required to share the money based on charter schools’ “proportionate share of total school district” enrollment. Charter school enrollment next fiscal year is projected to total 371,253 students, according to House analysts, representing about 13.6 percent of enrollment in public schools.
Canady said the bill would provide what she called a “five-year glide path,” which would phase in sharing the property-tax money.
The “glide path” would lead to districts sharing a portion of 20 percent of the money in the 2023-2024 fiscal year; a portion of 40 percent in the 2024-2025 fiscal year; a portion of 60 percent in 2025-2026; a portion of 80 percent in 2026-2027; and a portion of 100 percent in 2027-2028 and beyond.
Districts are expected to collect $4.4 billion from the 1.5-mill levy next fiscal year, according to a House staff analysis. Under the phased-in approach, they would provide a total of $55.9 million to charter schools next year.
“We have a sharing in this bill of 20 percent of the 1.5 mills,” Canady said, referring to the first year. “And so, this is the beginning of a way to make sure that charter school students, who are 70 percent minority and 51 percent (recipients of) free and reduced (price) lunch, get closer to parity in terms of the resources that are provided to them.”
But Democrats on the panel pushed back against such arguments.
Rep. Christine Hunchofsky, D-Parkland, pointed to different requirements and standards that traditional public schools must follow when building facilities.
“I think parity is great, but we don’t have parity in the requirements of building schools. The traditional public schools are held to a different building standard. They’re used as hurricane shelters. There are lots of other things going on,” Hunchofsky said.
But Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, argued that student performance in charter schools outpaces performance in traditional schools and suggested that charter schools face harsher consequences for poor results.
“When charter schools have examples of financial impropriety, those charter schools cease to exist. The same cannot be said about government-run schools in Florida. So absolutely we should be working on parity. Because the safe bet is charter schools,” Andrade said.
Chris Moya, a lobbyist for Charter Schools USA, said purchases beyond construction-related costs that are allowed with the money would provide a direct benefit to students.
“Often, one of the uses permitted by law is actually software, tablets, technology. So, to be against this policy would be to say we want to continue the digital divide amongst minorities and poor students,” Moya told the House panel.
But House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, disagreed that the bill is geared toward benefiting students.
“This really is about the businesses, the contracts, the leases for these buildings. Not really school performance, not really providing the students with the things that they need,” Driskell said.
A similar bill (SB 1328) would need approval from the Senate Appropriations Committee before it could go before the full Senate.
The post Florida Legislature advances plan to divert construction money from public schools to charter schools appeared first on WMNF.
By Ryan Dailey ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — A measure designed to carry out parts of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ higher-education agenda moved forward Wednesday in the Senate, after changes that included a proposal to give university presidents ultimate hiring authority at their schools.
The Republican-controlled Senate Education Appropriations Committee voted 8-4 along party lines to approve the bill (SB 266).
The bill addresses some of the most controversial education-related issues of this year’s legislative session, including making changes related to academic programs and courses that can be offered at universities and colleges.
For example, the bill would direct the state university system’s Board of Governors to “periodically review the mission” of each school, including looking at academic programs. The reviews would “examine” the programs for violations of part of state law dealing with discrimination against students and employees in the education system.
That part of law is tied to a controversial measure, known as the “Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act,” or Stop WOKE Act, that lawmakers passed last year. The Stop WOKE Act restricts the way race-related issues can be taught in schools.
The reviews also would be required to take into account any curriculum “based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities.”
Several university professors and advocates for classroom free speech pushed back against the bill Wednesday.
Joe Cohn, legislative and policy director for the non-profit Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said the bill would “chill and censor pedagogically relevant speech” on campuses.
“There’s over 60 years of Supreme Court precedent saying that laws that cast a pall of orthodoxy over the classroom are unconstitutional,” Cohn told the Senate panel.
The measure also would require the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education to appoint faculty committees to review general-education core courses at colleges and universities, potentially leading to the “removal, alignment, realignment, or addition” of courses.
For instance, courses would not be able to “distort significant historical events or include a curriculum that teaches identity politics,” or be “based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities.”
Senate Democrats criticized the proposed curriculum-related issues in the bill.
“I do believe that we’re allowing political rhetoric and the trade winds here to dictate where we’re going. I believe our institutions of higher learning should be a place where we are thinking freely,” Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book, D-Plantation, said.
But bill sponsor Erin Grall, a Vero Beach Republican who chairs the Senate Education Postsecondary Committee, defended the measure.
“Nothing in this bill is meant to prohibit speech,” Grall said, “and one of the purposes of this bill is to guard against compelling speech.”
Changes made to the bill Wednesday included a proposal to give university presidents “final authority” for hiring all full-time faculty members, provosts and deans. Several of the 12 state universities have seen leadership changes in recent years, with at least two new presidents drawing opposition from students and faculty members.
For example, the University of Florida Board of Trustees last year selected then-U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., to become the school’s president. This year, the New College of Florida Board of Trustees — after an overhaul by DeSantis — named Richard Corcoran, a former Republican state House speaker and education commissioner, as interim president.
Other changes made to the bill removed specific references to diversity, equity and inclusion. DeSantis has sought to weed out so-called “DEI” programs from the higher-education system.
An earlier version of the bill would have prohibited universities from using “diversity, equity, and inclusion statements, critical race theory, or other forms of political identity filters” in hiring practices.
After Wednesday’s changes, the bill would prohibit universities from requiring “any statement, pledge, or oath other than to uphold general and federal law, the United States Constitution, and the State Constitution” as a condition of admission or hiring.
The changes also removed a controversial part of the bill that would have allowed the Board of Governors to adopt a regulation for universities to conduct post-tenure reviews of faculty members “at any time, with cause.” The Board of Governors last month approved a rule that would require faculty members to undergo post-tenure reviews every five years.
The bill and last year’s Stop WOKE Act have drawn criticism from many faculty members. One professor warned the Senate panel that policies in the bill could cause the university system to hemorrhage educators.
Matthew Lata, a professor at Florida State University, said schools are “starting to see a brain drain.”
“As an example, in the Florida State College of Arts and Sciences, the number of faculty members who have indicated that they are leaving after 2023 is about double what it was in 2022,” Lata said.
But Education Appropriations Chairman Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, took issue with the opponents’ assertion that lawmakers should not make changes proposed in the bill.
“We’re not talking about private schools. We’re talking about public institutions, which are paid for by the taxpayers,” Perry said.
The bill would need approval from the Fiscal Policy Committee before it could go to the full Senate. A Similar House bill (HB 999) is ready to go to the House Education and Employment Committee.
The post A controversial higher-ed bill, the companion to HB 999, advances in the Florida Senate appeared first on WMNF.
Today at the University of South Florida about a dozen students with Students for a Democratic Society protested a law to ban majors and minors in gender studies, Critical Race Theory, and related studies that focus on teaching Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
“¡Diversidad, Sí; DeSantis, no! HB 999 has got to go!
¡Diversidad, Sí; DeSantis, no! HB 999 has got to go!”
That means “Diversity, yes, DeSantis, no”
Last month four protesters were arrested while demonstrating against the same legislation, House Bill 999. A fifth student Lauren Pineiro majors in Sociology and minors in Women’s and Gender Studies, and was retroactively charged on Tuesday with two misdemeanors and a felony, like the so-called Tampa 4, according to SDS. Victoria Hinckley is a junior also focusing on sociology and gender studies at USF.
“Yeah! I mean, I think that’s like exactly what HB 999 is aiming to do, you know. It’s aiming to, like, silence people who one: standing up to DeSantis’ attacks on diversity, but also talking about diversity in general; and that’s what we were there doing, and as we were…as you can see in, like, the videos, and just, like, witness accounts of what happened, we were actively silenced.”
Hinckley suggested the arrests may have been intended as a deterrent, but she said that instead, they have emboldened their efforts.
“I mean, I think, at least, like in SDS it’s kind of fueled our flame to like keep speaking out against attacks on diversity because that’s what we were protesting in the first place was cuts to diversity; and now it’s just this added level of political oppression. So it’s definitely emboldened people in SDS. But as far as other students on campus, I think for people that have seen, like, the videos that were, kind or, you know, circulated, I think they were you know really disgusted that like their own campus police were doing this to students that go to school here, it’s like such a disgusting thing to see that happen on your own campus.
House Bill 999 and the Senate version are both working their way through the legislature.
SDS will be holding a statewide rally on April 17th to show solidarity with other Florida colleges and universities experiencing similar concerns. That marks the 58th anniversary of the March on Washington to End the War in Vietnam, which was also organized in part by SDS.
Video of today’s demonstration, by Craig Birchfield/WMNF (4/6/2023)
The post USF Students Protest DeSantis’ Attacks on DEI in Florida Colleges appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/TrusteeConfirmations-.mp3The Senate Postsecondary Education Committee advanced the confirmations of seven new members of New College’s Board of Trustees.
New College alums and parents of students were united in opposition at the confirmation hearing on Wednesday morning.
Many said they are especially concerned about the confirmation of conservative activist Christopher Rufo, citing his recent mockery of a New College student on Twitter.
Rufo has also said diversity, equity and inclusion programs at universities should be cut, which worries students and alums.
Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book said she voted against the appointments because the candidates didn’t attend the hearing, which the committee recommends them to do.
“I’m very troubled by not having the opportunity to talk to these candidates, particularly when it is, and has been, such an uproar,” Book said.
Senator Keith Perry said he supported confirming the new Board of Trustees members because he believes New College needs improvement.
U.S. News ranked New College as the fifth-best public liberal arts college in the nation out of 18 institutions, but Perry said New College should be number one.
“We want the university system in the state of Florida to be top, and we owe that to the taxpayers and we owe that to the students,” Perry said. “And so a change is absolutely necessary.”
The State University System of Florida said the candidates need to be confirmed by the Senate’s Ethics and Elections Committee next before they can be approved by the full Senate.
The post Confirmation of New College Board of Trustees is advanced by Senate’s Postsecondary Education Committee appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The_Scoop_230405-1.mp3Donald Trump appears in courtFor the first time in history, a former U.S. president has appeared in court as a criminal defendant. Donald Trump surrendered to authorities yesterday to appear on charges related to hush-money payments at the height of the 2016 presidential election. Trump, a 2024 presidential candidate, pleaded not guilty to 34 felony charges. Prosecutors said Trump conspired to undermine the 2016 presidential election by trying to suppress information that could harm his candidacy. Trump is due back in court in December, but his lawyers asked that he be excused from attending that hearing in person because of the extraordinary security required to have him show up.
Elected officials gathered around FloridaElected officials from around Florida gathered for a press conference yesterday to speak out against bills that they claim are attacks on local control. WMNF’s Chris Young reports.
Sarasota School Board considers hiring conservativeThe Sarasota School Board are considering hiring a consultant linked to the conservative Hillsdale College in Michigan. But they put off a vote following heated comments during a workshop yesterday. The meeting came after about 100 people rallied against the proposed contract. The board will wait until its next meeting to consider hiring the consulting firm Vermilion Education, which has ties to the conservative college. Two draft contracts would allow Vermilion to sit in on interviews of teachers, as well as have access to school policies, assignments, lesson plans and book lists.
Gun Reform advocatesGun reform advocates organized at Curtis Hixon Park Tuesday one day after Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law to allow carrying concealed firearms without a permit. WMNF’s Camilla Carrero has more…
Florida Democratic chair arrested after protestFlorida Democratic Chair Nikki Fried, state senator minority leader Lauren Book and nine other protestors were arrested Monday night. This comes after the state senate passed the six week abortion ban. Nikki Fried and Lauren Book protested with occupy tally in which the protest was planned days before the governor Ron DeSantis signed the permitless carry bill yesterday. This would allow guns to be carried almost anywhere without a permit. Fried says they were arrested for trespassing despite that a permit to protest was revoked. Fried says they were taken to the county jail, where the protesters were booked and spent only a few hours. They were released on zero bond and in some cases, on their recognizance in others. Fried and Book were released at midnight, while the other protestors were released a few hours later. Nikki Fried plans to start speaking on behalf of the Democratic Party on a college tour shortly in preparation for the next election cycle.
Plant City municipal electionPlant City held a municipal election last night, with nearly 8% of eligible voters turning out to the polls. Vice Mayor and incumbent City Commissioner Michael Sparkman defeated his newcomer opponent Jeremy Griner by 11 percentage points, and secured another term on the Plant City Commission. The unofficial results can be seen on votehillsborough.gov.
Information from the Florida Public Radio network, News Service of Florida and Associated Press, was used in this report.
The post The Scoop: WMNF’s daily digest of news headlines for Wednesday, April 5th, 2023 appeared first on WMNF.
Over the weekend professors from around Florida gathered in Sarasota for a conference called “Academic Freedom in the Sunshine.”
On Tuesday Cafe (4 April 2023) we spoke with one of the participants, New College of Florida professor of Anthropology, Maria Vesperi about changes at New College and bills in the Florida Legislature that impact higher education.
One of those bills is HB 999 which targets DEI initiatives at universities, among other things.
Tampa Bay SDS will be protesting against HB 999 on the campus of USF Tampa on Thursday at noon at the bull fountain outside the student center.
Listen to the show here:Watch:Here is a link to the video of the Academic Freedom in the Sunshine conferenceWMNF’s Tuesday CaféTuesday Café airs weekly on WMNF beginning at 10:06 a.m. ET.
You can listen live on 88.5 FM in Tampa Bay, on wmnf.org or on the WMNF Community Radio app.
You can listen anytime on demand on wmnf.org or by subscribing to the Tuesday Café podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
https://open.spotify.com/show/311qfxLFcO8F7ZvnjgZogD – WMNF’s Tuesday Café with Seán Kinane.The post New College of Florida, academic freedom and HB 999 appeared first on WMNF.
The Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association joined with the Pinellas educational support professionals to march from St. Petersburg City Hall to the former Tomlinson Adult Learning Center. The nearly 100 year old historic school will be repurposed for teacher workforce housing after it closed in December 2021. William Kilgore is with the St. Petersburg tenants union.
“I’m sure you all have students who you know, don’t have stable housing. And I’m sure some of you see your rents going up. Well, they strip tenants rights right now in Tallahassee. That’s what they’re doing. They’re trying to preempt all of our rights we fought for for the past two years to the state government. That ain’t right!”
The Students for a Democratic Society came in solidarity with the teachers unions, as they are also grappling with House Bill 999, which seeks to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion in state universities. 21 year old Gia Davila is fighting for her right to attend classes again after University of South Florida police arrested her and three other students for protesting the legislation on campus earlier last month.
“…attacks will negatively affect all schools across Florida from public K through 12 to universities, but these attacks are not representative of what students and teachers want. The people of Florida deserve to learn about their respective histories and for their schools to stand up and defend them”
The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed SB 256, which, if passed would place new restrictions on public employee unions, including preventing dues from being deducted from workers paychecks.
The post Teachers March in St. Pete to call for union support appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NEWCOLLEGETEXTS.mp3Recently released text messages suggest New College of Florida Trustee, Matthew Spalding, coordinated efforts behind the scenes to overhaul the institution’s leadership. Alumni have said this news raises legal and ethical concerns.
According to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Spalding texted several individuals to plan the motions he made during a Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 31. These motions included moving towards hiring Richard Corcoran as interim president and Bill Galvano as general counsel for New College’s board.
Governor Ron DeSantis also appointed six new members to the institution’s Board of Trustees on Jan. 6, just weeks before Spalding’s motions.
Many New College alumni have expressed frustration and worry over these changes to the board. Some have formed groups to fight for the preservation of the college’s founding principles, including a new nonprofit called the Novo Collegian Alliance.
Bill Rosenberg is a New College alum and a member of the Board of Directors for the Novo Collegian Alliance.
He said Spalding’s text messages indicate that the board isn’t following Florida’s Sunshine laws.
Rosenberg and other concerned alumni are lobbying to senators who will review the Board of Trustees appointments in hopes they will oppose them.
“These trustees are not qualified for the offices they’ve been appointed to,” Rosenberg said. “There was no vetting. They were hoisted upon the existing board and the existing president with no consultation at all with the New College community. It simply happened.”
As of Thursday evening, New College of Florida had not responded to an emailed request for comment.
The post New College alumni continue to express concern, following release of Trustee Spalding’s texts appeared first on WMNF.
The Hillsborough County School Board has expanded a proposed book ban county-wide as it voted 4-3 today to remove the book, “This Book is Gay” from all middle school library shelves in Hillsborough County as of Tuesday. More than 50 speakers were at public comment regarding the age appropriateness of the book. The book was approved by two committees unanimously at Pierce Middle School. Two parents with no children attending that school challenged the book based on sexually explicit language and depictions, putting the matter before the board. School Board Attorney Jim Turner cautioned that the only thing before the board was deciding whether to accept this appeal for peers and that anything further would open them up to legal challenges for not following the evaluation process.
“A motion on the floor of the superintendent’s recommendation, which is to not allow ‘This Book Is Gay’ in any middle school in Hillsborough County… That I understood the recommendation would be limited to Pierce, the superintendent went broader than was noticed today.”
Nadia Combs Jessica Vaughn and Karen Perez did not vote to ban it from all middle schools since they had only agreed to consider it just for Pierce Middle School. Board member Patty Rendon had dictated Florida Statutes such as 847 to explain why they had a responsibility to keep pornographic materials out of some schools. She made the motion to ban it. Some high school students said that the book provides valuable nonfiction information. Naydeli Laffita is a senior at Leto High School.
“Movies showed men and woman relationships but never anything else. I just needed someone to tell me that it was okay to like whomever I needed. I wanted to share my story not for pity, but to spread awareness of the problems behind being in the LGBTQ community that go unproved on a day to day basis. If I had this book in middle school, it would have made it easier to discover my true self, someone who isn’t afraid to love whom they love. This book gives awareness to a topic that is barely represented. At the end of the book states many resources kids can go to if they ever need help or someone to relate to. Just like I did.”
School Board Member Stacy Hahn mentioned that there will be a workshop next month to review the book evaluation process for Hillsborough County.
The post Hillsborough County School Board bans “This Book Is Gay” in all middle schools appeared first on WMNF.
Update: Two hours after Tuesday Cafe ended, the Hillsborough School Board voted to remove the book “This Book is Gay” from all district middle schools: The vote was 4-3. Combs, Vaughn and Perez voted no.
It had been challenged only at Pierce Middle School, the only district MS where it was found.
On Tuesday Cafe we took a bold step – and maybe a bit of a risk – by airing live coverage of today’s Hillsborough School Board Special Meeting.
Groups like Moms For Liberty want some books taken off the shelves of Florida schools and one strategy they’ve been using is to read the most graphic portions of those books during school board meetings.
The Hillsborough School Board [discusses] “the Appeal of the District Level Decision Regarding the Reconsideration of the Challenged Material, This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson.”
Listen:Here’s how a Tampa Bay Times’ education reporter sums up the book:
‘The nonfiction book, which is in one middle school library [Pierce Middle School in Town ‘N Country], offers LGBTQ youth guidance on how to live comfortably with themselves and deal with people who bully them. It’s been called pornographic by some, who point to Chapter 9 “The Ins and Outs of Gay Sex.” which provides detailed instructions of how to do it. Board members expect to make a decision after hearing from the public.’
The Times also points out that
“Parent Stephanie Ascroft, who filed the series of challenges, does not have a child at Pierce. The oldest of her three children is in kindergarten.” …
‘“I think the book as a whole is a positive thing,” she said. “It helps kids who are exploring and questioning. It helps them feel more accepted and not alone.” But she said two chapters alarmed her. One of them, titled “Where to Meet People Like You,” instructs readers in how to use apps such as Grindr to find partners. Although there are pages explaining precautions young people should take to avoid exploitation, Ascroft said, “To me, that’s just dangerous. It’s a safety issue at that point.” She also found that another chapter, “The Ins and Outs of Gay Sex,” is too graphic in its depictions of sex acts. Following her initial challenge, a committee at Pierce voted to keep “This Book Is Gay” on the shelves. The next step was a districtwide committee, which in February voted 8-3 in favor of keeping it.’
Seán’s take, FWIWTo prepare for this show I checked out the e-book of This Book Is Gay from Pinellas County Libraries. I didn’t read the whole thing, but I skimmed parts of it, including the Ins and Outs chapter.
It seemed very similar to the types of sex-ed books I encountered in middle school without controversy with the exception that this one focuses mainly on same-sex interactions.
And there was a lot more focus on safety and safe sex in This Book Is Gay than I recall from the early 1980s.
A partial transcript (not fully edited) of what some of the speakers said:I started the transcription a minute late. Here’s the first speaker, Terry Kemple:
“…magazine printed matter, however reproduced that contains any explicit and detailed narrative accounts of sexual excitement, or sexual conduct, and that is harmful to minors. Subsection five goes on to state and adult may not knowingly distribute to a minor on school property or post on school property. Any material described in subsection three, please keep the law in mind as the people read from this book is gay, which is currently in Hillsborough County Libraries. I’m surprised your attorney hasn’t warned you about the risk you run by continually voting for materials that violate the law. We’re also interested in knowing what your plans are for the copies of this book that were given to the reviewers.
Thank you, next speaker. That was Terry Kemple. Thank you Next speaker.
Good morning. My name is Terry Rock, and I’m going to be reading from pages 202 to 203. Including a diagram on how to have a annual six bombing. It is a universal truth that many men like sticking their Willies inside things. I suspect it must be biological. Want to know the secret straight people have anal sex all the time to another one. straight men like stuff up their bums just as much as gay ones. Why? As mentioned before the prostate gland located just up in your bum feels amazing when massaged lots of men gay or straight. Like to have this feeling and aim and anal sex isn’t a gay thing. Still, unlike vaginal sex, a little more thought has to go into anal sex and here’s why. Pre care. as pleasant as bumming can be, we must hold in mind that the primary function of the back passage is to do pues poo is not sexy. Therefore those of you planning to have anal sex. Well, you get the rest. Please pull this book from our libraries.
Morning everyone. My name is Fred rock. I’m reading a section from this book is gay. It’s page 209. Fingers far more effective than a penis in many ways. A hand can do the job of five penises. Women refer to having sex This is usually what the mean. Lesbians can stimulate the clitoris and vagina and bring their partner to orgasm with their fingers. Sometimes both partners can do this simultaneously. Oral that coutures really does like being licked and kissed again girls can take it in turns to perform oral sex or if feelings adventurous that can perform at the same time. Obscenity in children’s books is against the law. Knowingly distributing a book of pornographic slash obscenity to children on school property is against the law board members you are being asked to please be responsive to this request and remove it from our students Library. Thank you.
and a mother of four children in the Hillsborough County Public Schools and I exhort you to remove this book. This book is gay by Juno Thompson. Dawson, Tampa is the number one ranked city in the country for sex trafficking and the average age for a child to be first sex trafficked is ages 12 to 14 which is the age of these middle school students at Pierce which contains the book and I think it’s unconscionable that you as a board would condone this book and allow it to be in our libraries when it has step by step instructions for downloading and using a sex hookup app. These are the teenagers just since March 1. Who disappeared in our county.
[She’s holding up a list of photos of children]
from their homes. From Page 156 Upload a tiny pic of yourself to the app number two the app works out your location three the app tells you who the nearest homosexuals are number four, you chat with them five because they’re near it’s easy to meet up with them. And here’s some tips page 187 include a picture of yourself if you think the key selling point is your bare chest we’re in bother we don’t be a prawn great body I would never eat the head if you don’t give your age weight and height people will assume you’re old fat and tiny. If that you’re that morning that you want to do a sex meet meet the trick and a place and a public place for a drink first. This is horrible.
Thank you Next speaker please
a small actually there’s there’s a section on page 199 that depicts a 16 year old that has an affair with an older married man. And I just think that if this was a 16 year old girl that was having an affair with an older married man, that everyone would be so completely outraged and that is being taught in our schools. Like our world is so evil right now. We do not need to have You’re all propagating this kind of thing from our school. You are in authority over our children we have given you the gift of teaching our children and this book has to go I’m a grandmother and I don’t want my grandchild reading this book. If he has a an issue later. And he when he’s older if he is gay I will support him and love him and cherish him. However, I think this is very inappropriate. It’s wildly inappropriate. Thank you.
Thank you Next Next speaker
Molly Blanton and a previous speaker spoke on Florida Statute 847 And some of that I’d like to expand a little bit on that. 847 dot 001 speaks to the explicit and detailed verbal descriptions or narrative accounts of sexual excitement or sexual conduct and that is harmful to minors, the harmful to minors requirement in subsection 847 dot 0017 means any reproduction, imitation characterization, description, exhibition, presentation or representation of whatever kind or form depicting nudity, sexual conduct or sexual excitement when it predominantly appeals to a prurient, shameful or morbid interest is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable material or conduct for minors, taken as a whole is without serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. The term obscene is also defined in subsection 847 availability to adults is not the issue, providing this book these materials to children as young as 11 years old. Any minor children in our public school libraries is inappropriate and illegal in my opinion. I asked you to please take the appropriate action. Remove this book and similar materials from our schools.
Thank you. Next speaker please and if I could have the next five speakers, please line up.
The issue before us today is whether a child’s soul is allowed the time to mature before embarking on an unforgettable life direction. This book before you before young minds make sex an act of animal instinct devoid of compassion and sacrificial love. This book grooms innocence, to surrender to the advances of Craven wolves the agenda attempts to silence the cries of lamps
what the wisdom bewitched you to think that we would stand aside to allow our children or any child to be instructed in the ways of a sexually consumed a lifestyle that leads them to become wanton let lecherous and narcissistic, whose hearts become a lonely Hunter a young innocent soul groomed to accept sex expert to accept sex exploitation. Rape is the normal method of satisfaction. This is the murder of a child’s soul
Good morning my name is Antonio and you see page 201 states oral sex is popping another dudes ping in your mouth or indeed popping yours in his and men like their blowjobs served in different ways. It’s more about talking to any reasonable person. This book does not comply with Florida law. I know what you all know and everyone here knows that. This is not political, homophobic or book banning. This is purely about removing an obscene illegal pornographic book from middle school library. The fact that some of you are not able to put emotions aside and rule objectively on issues like this makes us all think you’re not fit to sewers to serve our school district. The governor and his staff have made it perfectly clear that books like this are not allowed to be given to minors in school, because this continuous support of some of you makes it clear that you are asking to be removed from your position please don’t play the victim if you are you are blatantly ignoring the law and the oath that you swore to uphold when you were elected. In case you’ve forgotten the school board works for us do the right thing and follow the law that five of you think you’re above. Thank you.
Thank you. Next speaker please.
Good morning. My name is Tim driver and I am the president of the Hillsborough County Black Republican club. I will be reading from this book is gay by Judo Donson on page 206. That said most of the time this can be figured out as you go along. As mentioned above, there is no rule that says you have to have anal sex every time you have sex far from it. Lube. Unlike the vagina, the anus does not lubricate itself. You need lube if you’re going to attempt a no, this is for two reasons. One, anal sex hurts. The anus does not have the capacity to stretch the same way a vagina does. This means it’s a tight hole, which feels nice for the top, but it also means it can be very uncomfortable for the bottom with the right water based lube however, it can be hugely enjoyable. A good kind of pain like a deep tissue massage to lose makes it less likely for your condom to split. The anus is a pretty fragile membrane, which means it’s easier to get STIs through anal sex than vaginal. This language can be considered obscene and violates Florida Statute 847 dot 001 harmful to minors and Florida Statute 847012. This book is gay is not for minors and should not be returned to the library bookshelves. By returning it to the bookshelves at school board members you will be knowingly violating Florida Statute 100 6.40
Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker please.
Good morning. My name is Libby cope. I’m the media specialist at Leto High School. I thank you for your adherence to the policies and procedures set forth and challenging library media materials and our district. I read this book is gay in its entirety, which as we know is one of the procedures for challenging materials in Hillsborough County. I hope that all voting members today have read the book from cover to cover. All media specialists in Hillsborough County select books that I’m sorry, all media specialists in Hillsborough County that select books are either certified or hold a master’s in library information science. We take into account many factors during our collection development process, including but not limited to the needs of the students at our school and professional reviews. The committee notes state that past students requested more LGBTQ plus books, immediate specialist does not merely purchase recommended books they do their due diligence. This means media specialists look for books that were appropriate for her students and had positive reviews. She decided to add this book to her collection. The book was challenged so the committee read the book. After reading the book. She and her committee found this book to be good for their students. In fact, it was a unanimous decision at the school level. She knows what’s best for her population. She knows and so do I. I say that because her kids become my kids. The majority of students that late to high school come to us from Pierce Middle School. I can tell you without a doubt this book is gay is needed for the students at Pierce Middle School. The people who are in the trenches appears the people who are doing the work. The people who know that particular population more than anyone else voted unanimously to keep the
speaker please. Thank you.
Good morning. My name is Bailey Turnquist. I’m a freshman at late to high school. I am here to prevent the removing of books of becoming a trend. I find it completely unnecessary to request any book to be removed. I may not agree with the content but others might and how’s it my decision to choose what is to be read and what is not. How’s it my decision to choose what someone else’s child consumes? It takes a village to raise a child. The village helps to raise a child but it is the parent or parents responsibility to set the perimeters of how the child is to be raised. It is not up to another what one does with one’s child. My mother decides what she wants or does not want me to consume in the media. That is her job as a parent to guide and parent me. However, what is not her job is to make decisions for other people’s children concerning beliefs and other ideologies. When I was in middle school, I was one of the few that did not have any form of social media. My mother did not agree with me having any platform. Currently I’m allowed certain social media platforms not including Instagram, all of my friends and basically my generation have this app. Does my mom remove Instagram from every every child’s home? Phone sorry, anything found on social media platforms is much worse than whatever is in a singular book. I would like to ask those in favor of removing this book if their children have social media and if so then do they monitor the apps my mom does almost every night like clockwork, my mother checks my text messages and my social media accounts. To some this may seem extreme or violation of privacy but that is their opinion. It is easier to not allow one’s child to read a singular book than to track the digital footprint of said child and the words of Epictetus. Keep your attention focused entirely on what is truly your own concern. And be clear that what belongs to others you.
Thank you very much. Next speaker.
Good morning. My name is Michael Cirino. It is morally reprehensible and shameful that we have to gather today to debate this issue of whether or not pornographic content should be allowed in our children’s public schools. And it’s flat disgusting that a group of individuals here are defending it in the name of social justice and public education. An excerpt from the book this book is gay says the following. As with handjobs, and breakfast eggs, all men like their blowjobs served in different waves the term blowjob is massively misleading as you won’t actually be blowing on his penis. It’s more about sucking although I stress you’re not trying to suck his kidneys out through his urethra. It’s about sliding your mouth up and down the shaft of his cock. This is only a couple of the this is only one of the excerpts in the book that displaces extremely obscene language members of the board please don’t fall for the nonsense that removing this book from the schools will be fascism or an attack on LGBT people. This is about protecting the innocence of children regardless of sex, gender, race or ethnic background. I strongly suggest you take whatever action possible to remove this from our school libraries as soon as possible. And I definitely would not suggest you continue to bite the hand that feeds you. Thank you.
Thank you Next speaker.
I have a question for you. Do I have the right to protect my children from being exposed to sexually explicit content that I deem age inappropriate? Because as soon as someone puts this library book in a middle school library, no longer am I in control of what my children are reading. They don’t have my guidance parents are hardly even allowed in schools anymore. So you are only pretending that parents have a say in this. parents aren’t even allowed to come into the schools for the most part. And parents would never dream that these books would fill our school library shelves. Now listen, everyone still has a right to give their child whatever book they want to. So I’m suggesting you remove this book from schools and everyone’s rights are preserved. These books are not being banned. That word has become a weapon to marginalize the voices of parents. Nazi book banning and the like has essentially been used to eliminate books from circulation. We’re not doing that we’re asking you to keep them out of the reach of our children. It has never been controversial to protect children from certain things. We will fight for children in the future of our country against the sexualization. We will find a way to hold people accountable who are responsible for putting these books in our libraries.
Thank you. Next speaker please.
Good morning. My name is Laura Kissick. I have several thoughts to share with you today. About this book number one in the Pierce committee minutes it states pictures are in cartoon form as if this is to make it okay. Cartoons are drawing and as such drawings depicting nudity or sexual content are still against Florida law as stated in statute 847 point 01 to number two, school district policy 9130 states no challenge material may be removed solely because it presents ideals that may be unpopular or offensive. This book is not simply about being offensive. Giving minors access to this book is against Florida law period. This isn’t about some personal offense. Number three Glossary of the glossary of the book mentions the term scat which is eating poop. Really do we really have to subject middle schoolers to this is eating poop a need of the community and the students in the school system. Number four, abstinence is the state standard when it comes to officials sex education in the schools. Why should we have a book promoting sexual activity to students whether they be gay or straight? They shouldn’t be having sex period we should expect all students to hold their selves to higher standards and not get involved with sex until adults schools is the place and time to focus on academics not doing blowies and bombing. Thank you very much. Thank you
Major Maxim US Army retired. You are violating the board is violating Florida Statute 847 You need to ensure that you enforce that law. Okay? Make sure you enforce that. Law. Thank you.
Thank you Next speaker.
Morning, my name is RL Hill. The last time I stood before you I told you I wanted to thank you for what you are doing. And then I also advised you that I couldn’t because of what you were doing and I thank the people behind me that are working to root remove this obscenities and pornography from our schools. I don’t know how five of you can sleep at night. But let me read excerpts that may help you understand this book is gay by Juno Dawson. Here is a diagram of a boy. If you are also a boy, you’re probably aware of which parts feel nice, which when you touch them. But here are arrows a rough guide the lips, sex should always start with a kiss. Initially you should not go any farther than a kiss. In fact, kissing is an intimate as sex. And if you’re not comfortable going further than a kiss a good partner will respect this and wait, nipples. A lot of guys like having their nipples played with and they are mega sensitive testicles also, to be treated with loving care. Do your jobs that’s all we’re asking you to do is do your jobs.
My name is Chris Beard and these statutes have been read that are in violation of the law. This applies to books with obscene material such as on page 210 that I’m going to read and the media specialist was speaking about all their rights and, and and having all of this available but the bottom line it’s against the law. It’s against the law. So listen carefully to me, as I read what’s on page 210 Which makes me sick. Let’s talk about dildos. I think a lot of people assume that where there is no penis, a desperate sexual void is created out of which something Dick shape must ultimately slot in order to satisfy a vagina. Basically, there are holes everywhere. But you don’t have to fill them all. Not necessarily even with your tongue, and not with something penis shaped either. I think most good orgasms revolve around the clit well for me and mine anyway, if you then want to get a bit fancy there’s nothing wrong with a few fingers. Inside. But that’s orgasms and as great as they are. It’s not always about them. Will you be reading this to your grandchildren to your children, will you? I won’t if they need information they can get it from their parents in a in a private conversation.
Thank you Next speaker.
definitely as craft. I am here I wanted to clear up some things about the challenges you mentioned Mr. Porter. This is about specifically in Pierce Middle School, which serves 11 year olds. Okay. And it’s has nothing to do with the high schools or their children. It’s all about middle school, so 11 to 14 year olds. And if you read the challenge itself, it has to do with age appropriateness and safety. The publisher itself, whose goal is to make money you reach the widest audience possible, says this is not appropriate until age 14 on the Hillsborough County Media website, it says this is for grades 10 through 12. I can pull it up for you. Okay, what how is this appropriate for a sixth grader? We’re not following our own website guidance. Secondly, how is a book that outlines how to find no strings attached sexual partners? Online, okay for an 11 year old. Again, this has nothing to do with high school. It’s all about 11 year olds 12 year olds, 13 year olds. I don’t know anyone who would be okay with an 11 year old finding a sexual partner on online. This challenge was submitted long ago back in over Labor Day weekend, September, beginning of September. I’ve sat and it’s taken this long to come here. And I’m sad and it’s now become a political issue. And it’s politically challenged because that is not the intent of the challenge. It has to do with protecting our kids.
Thank you. Next speaker.
Hi, my name is Cheryl Stoker. And this is an excerpt from the book. This book is gay Handys perhaps the most important skill you will master is the timeless classic the hand job. The good news is you can practice on yourself. The bad news is each guy has become very used to his own way of getting himself off. Learning how to find a partner’s personal style can take ages but it can be very rewarding when you do something they don’t teach you in school is that in order to be able to come at all, you or your partner may need to finish off with a handy a lot of people find it hard to come through other types of sex. This is fine, and certainly not something you have to apologize for. A good Handi is all about the wrist action. Rub the head of his cock back and forth with your hand. Try different speeds and pressures until he responds positively a bad Handi is grasping a penis and shaking it like a ketchup bottle.
Thank you Next speaker please.
morning. My name is Dorothy Pilcher. The district appeals committee believes students at Pierce middle school already know of porn and sexually explicit material. By online and through other students. They claim this book serves to clarify misconceptions about related topics. That approach is irrational and dangerous and has exposed minors to instructions on blow jobs and all sex the use of a strap on and how to have sex encounters on adult app Grindr. The district legal adviser said the book identifies itself as an instructional manual. And if made as a movie, it would be for 17 and older persons that are rated material. Books create images in the minds of young children hence it is a movie to them. When a child selects a book in a school library, they know little about how it got to the shelf. They believe they have permission from adults to read, imagine and do what is found in the pages. You have a duty to make available age appropriate materials. This book but it’s how to approach about sex doesn’t meet this definition. I asked you to remove this book from Hillsborough County Schools. It’s against state statutes. And I don’t want this book in the schools. Not on my dime.
Next speaker please.
I live on MacDill Air Force base with my husband and two children who attend to Hillsborough County Public Schools. I read this book is gay over the weekend. I’m a Florida native I did all my schooling here while going to Florida schools I was exposed to pornographic material. I will read you the pornographic material which was mandatory in my school by the way this entire book was mandatory. Your navel is a rounded bowl Your waist is a mound of meat surrounded by lilies your breasts are like two fawns your breasts are like clusters of fruit and I will climb the tree and take its fruit. That is from Song of Solomon in the Bible. I attended here to talk about this book is gay. Yeah the point you can get to your point
because again, this is about this specific book in this specific school.
Yes, and I’m saying that if that if this book is gay violates a for 7.001 then so does the Bible. Yes. Okay. That is my point. Moving along. Dawson’s book is fine. I am a professional book reviewer. It explicitly states that readers should look at the book and say that exact line is in the text. It does not tell minors to do any of these things. Education is a human right. And we should allow children to read things in schools because none of these parents are actually teaching sex ed or queerness at home. And data shows that so they’re not learning that. And if we’re investing in children’s future, that we should invest in things that actually have positive health outcomes and positive outcomes for queer kids instead of bullying and suicide, which is what we currently have under estimates education and no peer education. So I think all of you in the fight Thank
you. Important. Thank you, next speaker and audience if you would, please be respectful to both sides. I’d appreciate it. Thank you Next.
Good morning. My name is MIOSHA Powell. I’m just going to read a few things and I just want to reiterate to bear in mind that we are referencing 11 to 13,14 year olds. Just going to read a few excerpts from this book is game. If you are that horny and this is relating to the sex grinder if you are that horny that you want to you want to do a sex meet up meet the trick in public for a drink first. That’s concerning, especially since we deal with such high rates of sex trafficking here in Florida, especially in Tampa. It goes further to say to warn children if you’re on Grindr under the age of 18 It happens. Be aware that swipe swiping adult swiping adult pics is actually illegal. You are distributing distributing child pornography, even if it’s of yourself. Again, we’re discussing 11 to 1314 year olds. If you are an adult this is there’s no problem but we’re referencing children. Moreover, it does encourage that children go or if you’re putting it in front of children, children will be encouraged to go to the Grindr app. So I just asking respectfully that this be removed from the school and all schools in Hillsborough County, specially because of the target at the age that it’s targeting. This is not a material at all suited for children. It’s for adults.
Thank you. Next speaker please.
Good morning. My name is NIDA Tatlock and I want to say that I read through both reviews from the Pierce Middle School and the district level review. I support the work that they have done for their assessments of the book. This book is gay. I support the district’s review system. For books and ask that this system remain in place. I will support our democratically elected school board’s decision on this book. And this does pertain to laws that have been read this morning. I want to state that I do not support authoritarian bullying tactics that are coming down from Tallahassee. Thank you for your time.
Thank you. Next speaker please.
Good morning. My name is Melanie lacs, thank you for the opportunity this morning and thank you for the work that you do. Every day. I want to ask the board to uphold the recommendation of both reviews and keep the book this book is gay at Pierce Middle School. The Pierce Middle School team that reviewed the book knows and works with the students there every day and it was their decision. That upper level classes at that school would find that book valuable members of that community that are vulnerable. need that book. I’m not asking you to go outside of the process. It’s been respected. I’m asking you to please uphold the process it works. The people who work at that school think this children need that book. I’m asking you to please uphold that recommendation today. Thank you.
Thank you, next speaker
Good morning everyone. Well good. Afternoon. Shawn Roberts, the founder of American anti bully organization. So I’m here to say that we’re standing up here not to be on sides. We’re standing up here for kids and that includes the LGBT kids as well. This affects all kids. I remember growing up just playing, having fun. Where are we as a society? Well, we have these books that are destroying the core of us as humans. And that’s kids. Now I’m standing up here for society. We have fallen and we have to come back. We include the kids that are on the other side. There’s a lot of hurt in this room. There’s a lot of trauma in this role. And these books are part of the trauma. So please keep these books out. And let’s focus on the mental illness and the trauma that’s affecting these people. Thank you.
Thank you. Next speaker.
My name’s Caleb. I’m here listening to the evidence being presented here and it’s anyone with any intellectual honesty at all can recognize that the content in this book is by definition pornographic. And that distributing porn to minors is illegal. Whether or not you like it or not, it doesn’t matter it is illegal. Therefore, to put it in the schools means you must first change the law before you can do that. At least if you care about being legal, right. So then my question goes to okay, what is what is the motivation here? Why would anyone want a book like this to minors Why would even want to defend this is it is it pedophilia? I certainly hope not. That’s obscene. But there is also a there’s a far left extreme cult out there that just seeks to indoctrinate people. And getting the children when they’re as young as possible is a pretty good recruitment strategy. I would like to just remind you that I don’t grovel at your feet. I don’t bow down to you. You work for us. So don’t you dare whiz on us. Tell us right tell us it’s raining. And then ask us for your jobs back next election. Next speaker please.
I’m here to ask you some questions. I’m sure this meeting is not exactly what you want to do on a Tuesday morning. Most of us have been most people have been down here every meeting since at least August fighting against this one book in our school libraries. We’ve been reading from this book that you agree with. I challenge you to read this to a child. Couple of things I’m asking you to consider during this meeting. The people here this meeting are speaking up for their parental rights have taken off of work or paid babysitters in order to be here. This may be just another day at the office for you but it’s for us it’s so much more book banning, who is banding this book have parents demanded this book be taken out of local libraries? Have they asked for it not to be on Amazon or in a Barnes and Noble bookshelf? Can parents if they choose still go locally to purchase this book for their child to have access to all those answers point to no one is banning a book however, we do ask this book removed from our schools where kids have free access to the material. How is removing this book stop any other parent from giving it to their child? Parents are simply fighting for their parental rights and not allowing their children to have access to this book many in many just like it some people were laughing when when someone brought up teaching abstinence when it was being mentioned. Why is teaching abstinence to middle schoolers ages 11 to 14 so funny. Final question is why parent permission slips are used for children in schools to join a sport certain clubs or even watch a particular movie during class. Yet you don’t think books have the same precautions who’s liable if a child does meet up with a stranger for sex?
Thank you Next speaker and I make sure that speakers 31 through 36 are up there if we could please keep moving along quickly. Thank you 31 to 36.
On pages 182 and 183 of this book is gay. The reader is introduced to Grindr. Grindr at claims is the market leader in sex apps and that the minimum user age is 18. What follows is a how to for getting started which involves a user posing, posting a photo on the site. And immediately the app pinpoints the user’s location and provides information on quote, who’s the nearest who the nearest homosexuals are in quote? What could possibly go wrong? Could underage participants use this app? Yes, they could. From 2021 an NPR article entitled How Grindr a popular gay dating app poses exploitation risks to minors we learn quote, the dating app Grindr is supposed to be for men seeking man, but many underage boys are using it to hook up with adults and that can put them at risk of exploitation and trafficking. More than 100 men across the United States have faced charges since 2015. Related to sexually assaulting or attempting to meet minors for sex on Grindr in quote, there these are just a few Idaho man right 13 year old boy after meeting him on Grindr, Delaware, a man arrested for setting up a three way with a 16 year old HIV positive Texas teacher has sex with 15 year old he met on Grindr, Idaho teacher 616 year old leading him to attempt suicide. And finally in October of 2022, a Michigan man was found guilty of murdering dismembering and cannibalizing his Grindr day these are just a few reasons why the Sarasota Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department include Grindr on AQ
next week. I cut you off but I gave you an extra few seconds. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. I did give you an extra five seconds. Thank you. You’re done. Thank you. Next
speaker you need to remove this thing. Okay. Thank
you. Thank you. Next speaker. Thank you.
Hi, my name is Jordan. I’m a lifelong Floridian business owner and taxpayer. I’m here today because I’m concerned about a book that I recently found called this book is gay. It’s actually quite interesting because frankly, so am I. So why would I think it’s a bad idea to have this book be accessible to children? Wow, this mic is so low only bending down? Well, if you actually look at the content, it’s difficult to deny that this type of material is inappropriate. And that’s an understatement. We all know what’s in it. I don’t have to elaborate on that. But what I will elaborate on are the effects this type of material will have on children. I can’t believe I have to explain this. But children are like sponges. Your son or daughter’s brain is hypersensitive to reward stimuli. Meaning behaviors can become habitual very quickly. When explicit content is consumed during adolescence. The brain creates neural pathways that crave sexually explicit content, resulting in an adult brain that craves super normal stimulus. I want to read a quick excerpt from the American College of Pediatricians. Exposure of explicit content, adolescents and young adults often leads to a distorted view of sexuality and fostering healthy relationships. These perspectives make it more difficult for young people to form lasting, meaningful, meaningful relationships, which will ultimately result in more anxiety, depression and overall dissatisfaction. Is there any question? Why there is a mental health crisis in this country right now? Look at what happened in Nashville a couple of days ago. We have to take a serious look at what our children are consuming Baker.
Thank you. Next speaker.
name is Donald Morgan. I have read the February 10 And February 21 21st minutes so district reconsideration appeals committee. I applaud the professional manner in which this review process for the book this book is gay has been conducted. It is of paramount importance to note that the review process has been based on the principles of democracy upon which our republic has been founded. To wit, Benjamin Franklin stated at the end of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, in response to a question of what had been wrought, quote, a republic, if you can keep it on quote, a key principle upon which a republic is based is that the majority rules, not an overly loud and raucous minority, which attempts to you serve our Republic by intimidation, via out screaming the majority and by implying not so subtle threats of violence if that minorities will is thwarted. One of my children is non binary has a five month old daughter with her partner who is a transgender woman. This woman is a Marine Corps veteran of Afghanistan with a Purple Heart front IED incident. She has survived the epi avoid the amputation of a right leg only at the cost of lifelong pain and suffering and titanium plates. The book this is gay a better breed in the library of a Florida School Mike bread butter will attend in middle school.
Thank you Next speaker.
Hi, there. My name is Kathleen Daniels as a resident and current president of our State School Library Association, I have the opportunity that I recently went to go up to Tallahassee to speak with legislators, both health Representatives and Senate, both Democrat and GOP across the board legislators agree that banning books is bad what seems to be the problem is what constitutes as pornography. Unlike many of those who spoke today, in the last week’s meeting, citing the statute does not make it so in fact, if you read the entire book, as I did yesterday, you would read that the book actually does address what pornography is, and it is not sex education. It advisors youth under 18. To avoid apps like Grindr due to a multitude of problems, and even after 18 addresses the problems with apps like that, I’m here to advocate not only to keep the book at school at the school, but also to advocate to uphold the previous committee’s decisions both the school site and the district level committee but he voted to keep the book isn’t local control valuable? Aren’t the community and stakeholders of the school’s decision extremely important. Ultimately the book is not pornography even said the lawyer truly if it would be illegal, and it would be unethical to read pornography excerpts allowed in a public setting. I don’t see anybody being carted away in handcuffs, or state organization fame serves all schools, public, charter and private so this is not a stance that’s just for public school. Protect Students rights to quality resources that are bedded. Protect Students rights to intellectual freedom, protect LGBTQ representation for students protect the values and votes of the local community and keep a resource that is seen as valuable in schools to those who need
Thank you. Next speaker please.
Good morning. I made nearly love pizza and I’m a senior from late to high school. representation matters as a little kid I always thought liking other girls was unusual. It was imprinted into my mind that it wasn’t socially acceptable to like the same gender movie showed men and woman relationships but never anything else. I just needed someone to tell me that it was okay to like whoever I needed. I want to share my story not for pity but to spread awareness of the problems behind being in the LGBTQ community that go on proved on a day to day basis. If I had this book in middle school, it would have made it easier to discover my true self, someone who isn’t afraid to love whom they love. This book gets awareness to a topic that is barely represented at the end of the book. It states many resources kids can go to if they ever need help or someone to relate to, just like I did. Resources I could have used in middle school but did not have access to the school is not forcing anyone to read it. It’s in a library waiting to get checked out by someone who does need it. Kids should be able to have their questions answered. Everything in this book can be found on the internet. So what is the difference? Some people don’t have parents or friends or anyone to go to thank you.
Thank you. Next speaker
Hello, my name is Elisa Nunez and I’m a senior at late to high school. Ever since I could walk ever since I could walk I picked up books that piqued my interest so my fondest memories are reading nonfiction books about historical events. My parents would love to surprise me on my birthday with a new story that I could dig my fingers into. I remember forming deeper connections with people after reading about different cultures. It allowed me to learn about different people’s lifestyle. This not this nonfiction book can be used as a guide for students who are questioning their sexuality. It can also be used as an information source for others who are sure of who they are, but they want a deeper understanding of other people’s desires. Some people believe that this book should be removed because it is not deemed age appropriate. But according to the University of Washington, kids being began to explore their sexual feelings by age 10. It states that middle school kids start to develop an interest in romantic relationships. A lot of young adults do not have more the source of information so they rely on the on the information they find it on the internet, and this can often be misleading. This book is not being forced on to any particular student. It isn’t the media center for those who need to who need it or choose to read it. It can be used as an adequate guide and exploring who they are as individuals. It is safer for a kid to read a reliable source that has been approved and purchased by media specialists rather than to be misinformed by a non credible source. One could argue that this it would be hypocritical to remove this book from the school library because there are books that are that inform kids of heterosexual relationships. We need nonfiction books that are inclusive books that discuss same sex relationships and teaches kids that need nonfiction books that are inclusive. The kids that select this book have demonstrated that they have doubts about their sexual feelings and they want to learn more about who they are. I have always found books as a place of comfort where I can be my authentic self. So why should you take this away from me? Thank you very
much. Thank you so much. Next speaker
Heroes reo, and I’m a cisgendered heterosexual senior athlete to high school this book, heard about this book and the controversy surrounding I questioned the function of a school. Many will agree with me when I say that school’s job is to educate kids and provide them with materials to be successful and learn whatever they need to know about the world. This means that schools job is to teach and prepare kids for the next step in life. And in middle school. This is a topic that should be taught to prepare kids for life. If sixth graders are old enough to learn about heterosexual sex and heterosexual lifestyles, then they should be old enough to learn about homosexual sex and homosexual lifestyles. And it is your job to give them access to that knowledge. If a parent feels that their child should not read this book, then that’s completely valid. But it’s up to them to regulate and police what their child consumes. Even if this book does get removed from peers. There are a million other ways to discover the same information. Some a lot more dangerous than others. But overall, a school cannot and should not be responsible for every person’s parenting style. Besides most kids will just laugh at how it says gay and then go tell their classmates so they can laugh together. They will probably never actually read the book or take it seriously. Meaning that a middle school two kinds of children are going to read this book with children who are mature and looking to learn about the LGBT, LGBTQ plus community and kids who actually need to discover who they are. Because with all homophobia, middle schoolers deal with on a day to day basis. They might just need a book to discover themselves. People aren’t going to change their gender or sexuality because of a book. It’s not that good. But all
the kids thank you so much. Thank you. Next speaker.
[The meeting continued]
Here are some of the emailed or texted responses we got during the show:Tom: “I am a very liberal man with a trans son. This book is inappropriate for middle school. I’m sure my son would agree.”
Jeff: “I think the main question here is what age students should get sex ed. Obviously you shouldn’t get it when you’re too young but at the same time sex is real and school is supposed to teach young people about real things in life.”
David: “Oh no! Terry Kemple is the worst. I’m tired of him.
“Just wanted to say that I appreciate you playing this hearing live today. That is very bold, but WMNF is awesome!”
WMNF’s Tuesday CaféTuesday Café airs weekly on WMNF beginning at 10:06 a.m. ET.
You can listen live on 88.5 FM in Tampa Bay, on wmnf.org or on the WMNF Community Radio app.
You can listen anytime on demand on wmnf.org or by subscribing to the Tuesday Café podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
https://open.spotify.com/show/311qfxLFcO8F7ZvnjgZogD – WMNF’s Tuesday Café with Seán Kinane.The post WMNF airs audio from Hillsborough School Board discussion of the challenged book, “This Book Is Gay” – it was banned in all district middle schools appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/EDUBILL.mp3A senate committee approved a proposal on Wednesday that would establish more requirements for university-sponsored speakers and events.
Under the Postsecondary Educational Institutions Bill, Florida’s state universities would need to create a “committee on public policy events.”
Each committee would have to hold at least four events every academic year that talk about “issues widely discussed and debated in society.”
Republican Senator Keith Perry authored the bill. He said these campus events will be required to feature speakers who support and oppose the issues being discussed.
“We think there’s enough experts in the university system to provide pros and cons,” Perry said. “We do allow in the bill that if you can’t find that, you can pay per diem costs and travel costs that the universities would pay for if they could not find someone within the existing system.”
Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book was one of two senators who voted in opposition of the bill. During discussion, she asked how debate topics would be decided.
“Would input be received from students and faculty if they felt unhappy or didn’t want something to be discussed?” Book said.
In response, Perry said there will likely be an opportunity for students and faculty to share feedback on discussion topics. Though, it’s not outlined in the bill.
Perry said the committees would not “micromanage the universities,” but serve as a resource for student organizations and encourage public debates on campuses.
“Our goal here is to have diversity,” Perry said. “We want to have kids get opposing viewpoints on issues.”
If the bill is passed by both chambers and signed by the governor, it will become law on July first.
The post Senate-approved bill will require universities to feature “opposing viewpoints” at campus events appeared first on WMNF.
By Ryan Dailey ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — A massive expansion of Florida’s school-choice programs that would make all students eligible for taxpayer-backed vouchers is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis, after the Republican-controlled Senate passed the measure Thursday amid warnings from Democrats.
In a 26-12 vote along straight party lines, senators gave final approval to the measure (HB 1), which the House passed last week.
DeSantis already has pledged to sign the proposal, which includes removing income-eligibility requirements that are part of current voucher programs. It has been a top priority of House Speaker Paul Renner, a Palm Coast Republican who was in the Senate chamber Thursday.
“We are funding students in this state. Parents have spoken,” Senate sponsor Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, said.
Under the bill, students would be eligible to receive vouchers if they are “a resident of this state” and “eligible to enroll in kindergarten through grade 12” in a public school.
The measure includes a tiered “priority” system for students to receive vouchers. Students whose household incomes are less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level, or roughly $51,000 for a family of four, would get first priority. Next would be students whose family incomes are from 185 percent of the poverty level to 400 percent of the poverty level, which is about $111,000 for a family of four.
Outnumbered Senate Democrats slammed the measure during a floor debate, characterizing it as a potential handout for wealthy people who would seek the vouchers.
“Let’s just face it, if you are a parent and you are paying for private school, why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of this program? I mean, this is going to be corporate welfare for parents who are already paying for private schools,” Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boca Raton, said.
“Millionaires, billionaires — we have no limits in this bill at all. Anybody would be entitled to get the up to $8,000 that we’re talking about,” Berman added, referring to the amount of per-student funding that would be provided through vouchers.
Rep. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, argued that expanding voucher access would chip away at funding for traditional public schools.
“The parents of these students will just get a rebate for the private-school tuition that they are already paying for. And that means the funds we have to pay for public schools will be reduced by the number of students accepting the voucher,” Davis said.
But Simon pushed back against such arguments by Democrats.
“We are spending record amounts of dollars in this year’s budget on our public schools. They won’t tell you that. Because they’re not arguing for the kids. They’re not arguing for the parents. They’re arguing for the system,” Simon said.
Another major change in the bill would allow home-schooled students to receive voucher funds. But the measure would require such students to be categorized as participating in a “personalized education program,” which would come with certain requirements such as the students having to take nationally norm-referenced tests or statewide assessments.
The proposal also would set up what are known as “education savings accounts,” allowing recipients to spend funds on a range of purchases beyond private-school tuition. Some of those purchases could include tutoring expenses, fees for various exams and contracted services provided by public schools.
House and Senate cost estimates of the bill varied as it moved through the Legislature. The Senate this week released a $2.2 billion total, though that number also includes the costs of students currently receiving vouchers,
The non-profit Florida Policy Institute, which opposes the voucher plan, estimated the measure would cost about $4 billion.
“As each chamber rolls out their education budgets, one thing is clear: the significant and growing projected cost of universal vouchers under HB 1 poses a threat to school districts’ budgets for the foreseeable future,” Florida Policy Institute CEO Sadaf Knight said in a statement after the bill passed.
Supporters, however, said the bill will drive up competition among schools, provide parents with options and ultimately raise the quality of education.
“Universal school choice means that every school has a chance to compete for students, and their parents can decide the best fit,” Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said in a statement.
Passidomo also pointed to a part of the bill that directs the State Board of Education to provide recommendations to the governor and Legislature related to reducing “regulation of public schools.”
“Additionally, by reducing red tape that burdens our traditional public schools, these institutions, which have served our communities for generations, will have a meaningful chance to compete right alongside other school choice options,” Passidomo said.
The post Major private school voucher expansion headed to Florida governor appeared first on WMNF.
Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist, Ben Montgomery, recently fired from Axios Media for calling out a DeSantis administration Dept. of Education PR flack for sending out propaganda, not a press release, joins us to discuss the climate of fear in the Florida media created by DeSantis, and DeSantis’ weaponization of our tax-payer funded communications shops in State government agencies like the Dept. of Education.
According to Axios, after Ben sent his brief, private email calling out the DoE press flack for sending “propaganda, not a press release,” Ben had “so tarnished his reputation as a journalist in the Tampa Bay area” that he had to be terminated for “cause.” This is the “new thing,” Ben noted, that people who are on the public’s payroll, whose salaries are being paid by us to get information out from state agencies, have been politicized and have become openly political and “completely adversarial with the press.” Now, if someone goes to them seeking information, often their correspondence is turned against them–it is screen-shotted and framed on Twitter in a way that encourages attacks from the right-wing. “The press deserves a lot of criticism,” says Ben, “but this is different. It is mean-spirited and meant to disrupt lives.” Ben lost his job, but in others, he believes it has a “quieting effect on those who might try to gain information and pursue the truth.”
The right-wing thinks Ben looks like a MarxistAfter Ben’s email was posted to Twitter by the Department of Education press agent, there was a minor Twitter storm of criticism of Ben by the right wing and by “many bots,” some of whom even disparaged his appearance as looking like a Marxist. Ben believes that this was the reaction the press agent hoped to achieve from the DeSantis base, discrediting Ben and his reporting as the work of a left, liberal partisan. The DeSantis press offices have now become arms of the DeSantis 2024 Presidential campaign, and, Ben asserts, “we have let this happen.” “This is what we’re seeing that’s new. All politicians have used press offices to distribute information that is favorable to them…What’s different about this is the combative nature and the weaponization of [reporters’] words seeking comment or information to make us look like we’re activists or left-wing loonies.”
Hear Ben’s entire interview and MidPoint commentary here, and listen to The Skinny, a new WMNF News show featuring Ben and a rotating cast of other reporters from Florida Phoenix, Creative Loafing and other media, every Friday at 11 am:
https://sound.wmnf.org/sound/wmnf_230322_100600_12newsW1_423.MP3The post MidPoint: What’s Scaring Florida Media? appeared first on WMNF.
A universal school voucher bill is sailing through the state legislature.
HB1 passed the Florida House on Friday and would allow nearly all students to attend private school with a voucher from the state. Some of the big concerns are how much it will cost – nobody can seem to agree on the number – and how much funding it will take away from public schools.
Here’s how News Service of Florida put the discrepancy in estimates for how much HB1 would cost the state:
“House and Senate staff analyses have included different estimates, with the House giving a ballpark estimate of $209.6 million, while a Senate analysis estimated a price tag of roughly $646 million.
“But the Florida Policy Institute, a non-profit group that opposes the voucher plan, estimates that the proposal would cost about $4 billion.”
Public schools get about $8,000 per student. That funding would “follow the student” if they transfer to a private school.
HB 1 passed the House, 83-27, mostly along party lines.
Its companion, SB 202, is expected to be taken up by the Senate Wednesday.
On Tuesday Café, we heard part of the House floor debate — legislators describing why they were about to vote for or against HB 1.
Listen to this show here:Click here to watch the Florida House Session on 17 March 2023 via The Florida Channel.WMNF’s Tuesday CaféTuesday Café airs weekly on WMNF beginning at 10:06 a.m. ET.
You can listen live on 88.5 FM in Tampa Bay, on wmnf.org or on the WMNF Community Radio app.
You can listen anytime on demand on wmnf.org or by subscribing to the Tuesday Café podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
https://open.spotify.com/show/311qfxLFcO8F7ZvnjgZogD – WMNF’s Tuesday Café with Seán Kinane.The post Florida legislators on why they voted for or against HB1 – universal vouchers for private schools appeared first on WMNF.
By Ryan Dailey ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — The Republican-controlled House on Friday passed a measure that would make every Florida student eligible for taxpayer-backed school vouchers, as Democrats and other critics slammed the expansion as a “coupon for millionaires.
House members voted 83-27 along almost-straight party lines to pass the bill. The Senate could consider a similar bill (SB 202) as early as next week.
The proposals have sailed through the Legislature, and Gov. Ron DeSantis has pledged that he would sign a vouchers expansion.
Opposition to the House bill centered, in part, on eliminating income-eligibility requirements that are part of current voucher programs. Families would be eligible to receive vouchers under the bill if “the student is a resident of this state and is eligible to enroll in kindergarten through grade 12 in a public school in this state.”
Rep. Marie Woodson, D-Hollywood, echoed many other opponents Friday when she criticized the possibility that wealthy families would receive vouchers.
“This bill is an $8,000 gift card to the millionaires and billionaires who are being gifted with a state-sponsored coupon for something they can already afford,” Woodson said.
The Florida Education Association teachers union also derided the measure as providing an “$8,000 taxpayer funded coupon for millionaires and billionaires,” saying in a tweet that the measure is a “terrible idea.”
Republican supporters have pushed back on such arguments, saying that wealthy voucher recipients would have received the same roughly $8,000 in per-student funding from the state to enroll their children in public schools.
Rep. Ralph Massullo, R-Lecanto, pointed to the potential growth of alternative options as a way to make all systems of education better. The measure would create what are known as “education savings accounts.” The accounts would allow recipients to spend voucher funds on a range of purchases beyond private-school tuition, including instructional materials, tutoring costs and fees for various exams.
“Competition works. Competition makes public schools better. Competition makes private schools better. And the other systems that we actually are encouraging by these education savings accounts,” Massullo said during debate on the House floor.
House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, made the bill a major priority for the 60-day legislative session. Renner cited the spending flexibility, saying that the measure stands to improve “educational outcomes” for students:
“This bill … will forever change the course of education in Florida. It allows for customized education for each and every child in this state,” Renner said after the bill passed Friday.
In another major change, the proposal would allow families of home-schooled students to receive voucher funds.
Home-schooled students who receive the vouchers would be classified as participating in a “personalized education program” under the bill.
Those parents would have to apply for vouchers through what’s known as a scholarship-funding organization and sign an agreement to annually submit a “sworn compliance statement” that would include various requirements.
For example, parents of home-schooled students would have to agree to a requirement that their students take a nationally norm-referenced exam or statewide assessment and report the test results to the organization.
Rep. Bruce Antone, D-Orlando, told his fellow members that “I believe in school choice” — but voiced concerns about the potential ballooning of participation in the programs and the volume of vouchers being administered by scholarship-funding organizations.
“I’m really concerned that, come 2027-28, and I’m just basing this on the staff analysis and their figures, one scholarship organization is going to have maybe (500,000), 600,000 students. That is bigger than Dade County and Broward County (school districts) combined,” he said.
The measure would make other changes, such as requiring the education commissioner to create an online portal to help parents navigate Florida’s “range of school choice options.”
The State Board of Education also would be directed to develop recommendations for the governor and Legislature aimed at reducing “regulation of public schools.”
Meanwhile, a disagreement has persisted about how much the voucher expansion would cost the state. House and Senate staff analyses have included different estimates, with the House giving a ballpark estimate of $209.6 million, while a Senate analysis estimated a price tag of roughly $646 million.
But the Florida Policy Institute, a non-profit group that opposes the voucher plan, estimates that the proposal would cost about $4 billion.
“It is alarming that the Florida House passed HB 1 without any guardrails to mitigate the unprecedented cost and impact this legislation would have on our public schools,” Florida Policy Institute CEO Sadaf Knight said in a statement.
House sponsor Kaylee Tuck, R-Lake Placid, defended the bill against concerns about its potential costs.
“We’ve heard a lot today about the dangers and the economic concerns that come with opening up eligibility to everyone. But I posit you this, we should be empowering every single family and every single child,” Tuck said.
The post Florida House passes a major expansion of school vouchers appeared first on WMNF.
The Florida Education Association teachers union and two other groups said Friday they have filed a challenge against the state Department of Education over new rules related to school books.
The FEA, the Florida Freedom to Read Project and Families for Strong Public Schools argue, in part, that the Department of Education overstepped its legal authority in rules that carry out a 2022 law placing a series of requirements on schools related to books and instruction curriculums.
As an example, the law said that an employee with a “valid educational media specialist certificate” must select books made available in media centers or on recommended or assigned reading lists.
But the groups contend that one of the challenged rules improperly carries out that part of the law.
“The breadth of the … rule’s requirement that books available through a library media center must be selected by school staff with educational media specialist certification, combined with the unprecedented definition of ‘library media center’ that incorporates nearly every book in a school building, effectively prevents classroom teachers from choosing books for their own classrooms and parents from donating books or otherwise contributing to their children’s schools,” the challenge said. “Because the …rule has the effect of impermissibly enlarging, modifying or contravening the legislative intent that is discernible from a plain reading of the statute, it is invalid.”
The groups said they had filed a petition at the state Division of Administrative Hearings, though it had not been posted to the division’s website Friday morning.
©2023 The News Service of Florida
The post Florida’s school book rules draw a challenge appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NEWS_GovAttacksUnion0316web.mp3Florida’s government continues to crack down on higher education, and the new focus is on faculty unions.
State government has requested details from Florida universities on their negotiations with large unions, and more specifically, the money spent on collective bargaining.
Andrew Gotham, president of faculty labor union United Faculty of Florida, says that government has a pattern of requesting info from groups they plan on attacking.
“This comes as part of a larger trend from the state in requesting information from institutions. Back in January, the governor’s office requested information about spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs with the promise to cut those programs regardless of how it would impact students, the community, or institutions. The state requested information about the number of contact points between individuals seeking gender-affirming care and state institutions obviously with the intention of treating those individuals as if they were enemies of the state, and this is sort of the next step in that program,” Gotham tells WMNF News.
Gotham worries that these upcoming attacks may end up hurting Florida students.
“Florida students are going to miss out as these faculty depart the state or refuse to come here. We would urge anyone, if you’re a student, if you’re a parent, if you have any connection to Florida’s world class higher education system and you want to see that high-quality work continue, contact your legislators today.”
The post Florida government requests union spending info from universities appeared first on WMNF.
In response to 4 campus arrests earlier this month at a protest against House Bill 999, about 20 demonstrators gathered today in front of the Hillsborough County Courthouse calling for justice.
[Chanting] “Justice for….Tampa 4! Justice for….Tampa 4! Justice for….Tampa 4!”
They demanded that newly appointed State Attorney Suzy Lopez drop the charges against students arrested during the March 6th peaceful protest. Gia Davila is with Students for a Democratic Society, or SDS, and was one of the four arrested for protesting House Bill 999
“…Would effectively ban multicultural clubs, groups, and studies at USF… SHAME!”
Davila was trespassed from campus, making her unable to attend work, class, or campus events. She was one of the four receiving multiple criminal charges.
“They proceeded to charge us with a felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer… lies! And two additional misdemeanors of nonviolent resistance of arrest and disruption of a school event…lies!”
She maintained their innocence and demanded that State Attorney Suzy Daniels drop their charges. The former State Attorney Andrew Warren was unconstitutionally fired by DeSantis for refusing to criminalize gender affirming care and enforcing the 15 week abortion ban and DeSantis appointed Suzy Lopez instead. Jerry Funt is with Florida Dream Defenders pointed out that while he felt Warren didn’t have a perfect track record in how he had prosecuted protesters in 2020 demonstrations in Tampa, Lopez could be significantly less receptive to the demands of protesters.
“There is a difference between a prosecutor who has to answer to the people and the voters, and there a prosecutor who has to answer to the governor who appointed her. And the same policies that you all are protesting here today are made by the same person that put her in power. And so she is not going to listen to us asking nicely. The only way that power acquiesces to the people is when people show they have more power.”
Joseph Charry is a student at USF and a member of SDS and said that officer brutalized students on March 6th, and that the political repression did not end for protesters on that day.
“It has continued since in the form of unjust charges that are contradictory to what actually happened. These charges categorize peaceful protestors as criminals and even felons. As if they had done anything other than voice out their opinions.”
SDS demanded that USF president Rhea law step down, and that Chief Chris Daniels be fired for the attack on students. For WMNF News, I’m Josh Holton
The post USF students call for dropped charges outside State Attorney’s office appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NEWS_DEIConference0313web.mp3Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference in West Palm Beach as a bill that takes aim at diversity programs in universities is being heard in the legislature today.
Florida House bill 999 prohibits fields of study including race and gender studies, and prohibits spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in universities. The bill also allows tenure for professors to be reviewed at any time. In front of a backdrop that read “Exposing the Diversity Scam”, DeSantis blamed university administrations for forcing diversity, equity, and inclusion on faculty and students.
“This is the administrative machinery of the university that is basically adopting a very strident ideology and then just imposing it on the students even if they never take a class on any of this.” DeSantis said.
DeSantis was joined by many anti-diversity advocates, including one Boise professor who was inspired to fight against DEI after public backlash against his misogynistic comments and a conservative activist who has described diversity as a farce and a cult.
This comes after students gained national attention at the University of South Florida and Florida State University for protesting the bill. Several Democratic Florida representatives have spoken in opposition to the bill. Representative Yvonne Hinson calls it “a complete takeover of Florida’s public universities.”
The post Gov. DeSantis holds roundtable attacking diversity in state universities appeared first on WMNF.
Students at the University of South Florida were arrested who protested the attacks on diversity and other attacks on education. The right-wing attempt to roll back the clock on progress in many areas in society is in full swing in Florida. There is a war against public education.
USF Tampa students arrested at protest call for police chief Chris Daniel to be fired.University of South Florida arrest
A film-maker, Derrick Perez along with Freddy Barton, discuss “Blink: A Gun Violence Prevention Film”.
Kim Jackson encourages public comment regarding Fair Oaks Expansion project.
The post Blink on Gun Violence, USF Protest Arrest appeared first on WMNF.
Listen:
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/WMNFHeadlinesDigest2023Mar10.mp3USF arrestsFour demonstrators were arrested Monday and charged by the University of South Florida police while protesting against the school’s inaction in the midst of Governor Ron DeSantis’s push for change in state colleges. WMNF’s Chris Young reports on the press conference held by the protest’s organizers yesterday.
DeSantis in IowaFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be in Iowa to introduce himself to an expectant audience of Republicans ahead of a likely 2024 presidential bid. DeSantis is making a long-awaited visit today. DeSantis’ planned appearances in Davenport and Des Moines to mark his first trip to the leadoff voting state and come as anticipation over his expected White House campaign has been building. With the Iowa caucuses less than a year away, Republicans in the state are ready to take a harder look at DeSantis. The Florida governor is a top-tier presidential prospect viewed as a rival to former President Donald Trump.
School vouchersA bill that would expand the state’s school voucher program is swiftly making its way through the legislature. As Danielle Prieur reports, the program provides scholarships to families who want to send their kids to private or charter schools instead of public ones.
Social media platforms for studentsA bill to limit Student Use of Social Media Platforms passed the House Choice and Innovation Subcommittee yesterday. House Bill 379 will ban TikTok in Florida K-12 schools and require schools to educate students on social media safety and how it can be utilized in personal and professional life. It also requires school districts to prohibit students from accessing other social media platforms through the use of school internet access.
Information from the Florida Public Radio network, News Service of Florida and Associated Press was used in this report.
The post WMNF’s daily digest of news headlines for Thursday, March 10th, 2023 appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NEWS_USFProtestConference0309web.mp3Four demonstrators were arrested and charged by University of South Florida police while protesting against the school’s inaction in the midst of Gov. DeSantis’s push for change in state colleges.
The University of South Florida chapter of Students for a Democratic Society held a press conference denouncing USFPD and calling felony and misdemeanor charges against protestors to be dropped.
WMNF was on the scene March 6th when protesters gathered outside of USF’s busy student center to demand that the university protects students from Governor DeSantis’s recent attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
However, when they marched to the building where the university president’s office is located and demanded a meeting with USF president Rhea Law, protesters said police turned violent.
“I did expect a peaceful sit-in to result in a police officer slamming her fist into my head over and over again. I did not expect to be pulled away from police with my arms tugged, ending in scratches and bruises. I didn’t expect there to be blood on my tote bag. I didn’t expect to see my friends on the floor.”
The four protestors charged on Monday gave final remarks at the press conference.
“Going to this protest, I’ve been an organizer since 2018. I’ve been arrested, I’ve been teargassed, I have been almost ran over by TPD, and this was the scariest moment of my life.” one demonstrator said.
The group called on the public to donate to Students for a Democratic Society to support.
WMNF has not received comment from USFPD.
The post Activist groups speak out after USF police arrests protestors appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NEWS_FEAConference0308web.mp3Two major teachers’ unions teamed up to spread awareness about recent government attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion in Florida schools, as well as other concerns affecting Florida education from pre-k to graduate school.
The United Faculty of Florida and the Florida Education Association held a “Public Education Day of Action” on Tuesday, focused on protecting and preserving Florida’s public education system against what they call recent attacks by Governor DeSantis.
State Representative Yvonne Hinson, a former special education educator, slammed DeSantis.
“Let’s be clear: what’s going on, what we are witnessing, is a complete takeover of Florida’s public universities. This includes the curriculum, freedom of speech, CRT, DEI, ESG, hiring and firing, we are living in a period not unlike 1930’s Germany” Hinson said.
President of the United Faculty of Florida, Andrew Gothard, encouraged the public to mobilize to fight for education.
“Continue to contact your legislators, continue to support the work of Representative Yvonne Hinson and the Florida legislature, continue to reach out to local students, faculty, and staff about how you as allies can continue to support public education, and let’s get in this fight to win it because the future of Florida hangs in the balance.”
DeSantis has promised more education reform in his second term and claims that his policies are made to defend children against those who seek to rob them of their innocence.
The post Teacher unions gather to voice concern over Florida legislation appeared first on WMNF.
A House panel Wednesday moved forward with two proposals that would revamp county school-board elections.
The House Ethics, Elections & Open Government Subcommittee approved a proposed constitutional amendment (HJR 31), sponsored by Rep. Spencer Roach, R-North Fort Myers, and Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, that seeks to switch to partisan school-board elections.
Voters in 1998 changed the state Constitution to require non-partisan school board elections.
The House proposal would ask voters in 2024 to move to partisan elections.
Also, the subcommittee approved a bill (HB 411), sponsored by Rep. Kevin Steele, R-Dade City, that would change a residency requirement for school-board candidates.
Under current law, candidates have to live in the districts they are seeking to represent at the time they qualify to run.
The bill would require candidates to live in the districts at the time they assume office.
Supporters said that would put school-board candidates in line with the residency requirement for candidates for other offices, including the Legislature.
A Senate committee Tuesday approved the Senate version (SB 444) of the school-board residency bill.
©2023 The News Service of Florida
The post Florida House panel backs changes to school board elections appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NEWS_USFProtest0306.mp3University of South Florida students protested Monday to ensure vulnerable communities are protected in the midst of Gov. DeSantis’s push for change in state colleges.
Protesters gathered outside of the University of South Florida’s busy student center to demand that the university protects students from Governor DeSantis’s recent attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Students like Joseph Charry aren’t satisfied with the school’s progress.
“Historically, USF has just done nothing to protect diversity attacks, even without Ron DeSantis attacking them—so now that he’s attacking them, we should expect them to do more than they have previously,” Charry told WMNF.
In 2020, all members of USF’s diversity committee for the College of Arts and Sciences resigned after discontent with the school administration’s lack of transparency.
“We fear that students won’t feel safe in their own universities and that the university and the administration would maybe turn hostile to them just because they’re from diverse backgrounds.” Charry says.
Protesters encouraged students and the community to make their voices heard when fighting unjust legislation.
The post University of South Florida students protest for administration to do more to protect vulnerable students appeared first on WMNF.
Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell joined us to discuss the parade of horrible legislation that the Florida Republican-controlled legislature is planning now that they have a super-majority. We discussed everything from the dangerous and irresponsible “permitless carry” gun bill to the total gutting of public education funding in Florida by increasing school voucher eligibility for every student in Florida. Rep. Driskell also tried to give us some “political therapy” and a dose of optimism so we don’t drown in a sea of political despair, and urged everyone to make their voices heard by their representatives and most importantly, at the ballot box. Brian Connolly, Vice President of the USF Faculty Senate also joined us to discuss the university faculty’s perspective on House Bill 999 and what they perceive to be the death of academic freedom in Florida in House Bill 999. Both Leader Driskell and Prof. Connolly agree that this bill would have devastating consequences for the reputation and quality of Florida higher education, but, like the school voucher bill, it would also have devastating economic impacts that could even lead to the need for a state income tax in Florida.
One positive thing…The Florida High School Athletic Assn. was going to require all female student-athletes to disclose their menstrual history to their schools. Rep. Driskell’s caucus sent a letter to the FHSAA demanding they reverse course and asking them questions as to why they were doing this, and within 48 hours, they withdrew that policy. While not a legislative victory, because the Democrats lack the numbers now to affect legislation, it was undoubtedly a policy victory that protected female and trans Florida high schoolers.
The Florida legislative session with the new Republican super-majority begins next week, Tuesday. It’s the most dangerous time of the year in Florida.
The post MidPoint with Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/NEWS_CollegeBoard0228-1.wavCollege Board’s Advanced Placement, or AP program, dates back to the 1950’s. However, in a press conference Monday, DeSantis again expressed thoughts on introducing other college preparatory choices in Florida schools.
More than a third of US publichigh school graduates in the class of 2021 took at least one AP class, according to data from the College Board. In Florida, students from 733 public high schools took an AP test.
However, on Monday at a press conference in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, DeSantis had this to say about AP and College Board:
“Viewing the relationship with the College Board, we really like when students can get college credit in high school. We’ve expanded things like dual enrollment. But I think what I’ve just noticed is that Florida has subsidized this one company, College Board, when there are other companies that I think want to compete. And so I think what we’re looking to do is have more of an open market to where schools can pick the best way for college credit”
This comes amidst controversy. DeSantis voiced concerns over the Black History AP course and, in turn, the College Board stripped the program down.
College Board responded in a lengthy statement, saying that Florida’s resistance to the course is “politically motivated”, and that the College Board was met with uninformed questions like, “What does the word ‘intersectionality’ mean?” and “Does the course promote Black Panther thinking?”
Desantis made sure to clarify that for now, AP classes will still be offered.
“I think people can rest assured that, you know, if you send your kid to high school in Florida, you’re going to have adequate opportunity to get college credit, because I like the fact that people can go to our state universities and they can graduate in two or three years sometimes because they’ve been able to get college credit,” “Sometimes with Advanced Placement, sometimes with International Baccalaureate, sometimes with the Cambridge exams, sometimes with dual enrollment”
The post Gov. DeSantis considers “open market” for college prep classes amid College Board clash appeared first on WMNF.
By Jim Saunders ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — For the second time in less than five months, a federal judge has rejected a lawsuit seeking to block a controversial Florida law that restricts classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation.
U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor on Wednesday issued a 21-page decision dismissing a revised lawsuit filed by students, parents and teachers, who argued the law is unconstitutional. Winsor ruled that the plaintiffs had not “alleged sufficient facts” to show they had legal standing to challenge the law.
“Plaintiffs have shown a strident disagreement with the new law, and they have alleged facts to show its very existence causes them deep hurt and disappointment,” Winsor wrote. “But to invoke a federal court’s jurisdiction, they must allege more. Their failure to do so requires dismissal.”
Winsor on Sept. 29 dismissed an earlier version of the case on similar grounds but left open the possibility that the plaintiffs’ attorneys could re-file the lawsuit. The revised version, filed in October, argued that the plaintiffs have suffered “concrete harms” from the 2022 law (HB 1557).
“They have been denied equal educational opportunities they would like to receive, in the curriculum and beyond, and they have been subjected to a discriminatory educational environment that treats LGBTQ people and issues as something to be shunned and avoided, on pain of discipline and liability,” the revised lawsuit said. “This type of overtly discriminatory treatment has no place in a free democratic society and should not be permitted to stand.”
The law, which spurred fierce debate in the Legislature and has drawn national attention, prevents instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grade and requires that such instruction be “age-appropriate … in accordance with state academic standards” in older grades.
Republican lawmakers titled the measure the “Parental Rights in Education” bill. Opponents labeled it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
The revised lawsuit alleged that the measure violated constitutional due process, equal protection and First Amendment rights, along with a federal law known as Title IX, which bars sex-based discrimination in education programs.
Plaintiffs in the revised case were two students in Miami-Dade County and Manatee County schools, two lesbian couples with children in Miami-Dade County schools, a woman with children in Orange County schools and two teachers in Broward County and Pasco County schools. The defendants were the State Board of Education, the Florida Department of Education and the school boards in Broward, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Orange and Pasco counties.
In an attempt to show standing, the revised version sought to link the law with harm.
As examples, it cited a decision by the Miami-Dade County School Board to reject a resolution designating October as LGBTQ History Month; said one of the student plaintiffs, identified by the initials M.A., could not find a teacher willing to sponsor the Gay-Straight Alliance at a Manatee County school; and said Broward County schools removed LGBTQ-related books after receiving complaints from the conservative group Moms for Liberty.
But in Wednesday’s ruling, Winsor said such arguments were insufficient.
For instance, he wrote that the Miami-Dade School Board’s decision to reject the resolution about LGBTQ History Month “does not create a particularized injury; it shows at most a generalized grievance shared by all who would have preferred the opposite outcome.”
“Regardless, there is a redressability problem because there are insufficient facts to show a nonspeculative likelihood that the school board would adopt such a resolution if the court enjoined it from enforcing the challenged law,” wrote Winsor, who was appointed to the federal bench by former President Donald Trump after serving as a state appellate judge.
Meanwhile, addressing the lack of a sponsor for the Gay-Straight Alliance at the Manatee County school, he wrote that the plaintiffs have “an obvious traceability problem: the law plainly does not preclude a teacher’s service as an extracurricular club advisor.”
“Redressability is a problem too. Plaintiffs have not alleged facts to show it likely that an injunction against the Manatee County School Board (or any other defendant) would yield a willing sponsor,” he wrote.
The law also has drawn a separate constitutional challenge in federal court in Orlando. U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger on Oct. 20 dismissed that case but, like Winsor, gave the plaintiffs an opportunity to file a revised version. The revised lawsuit remains pending.
The post Judge tosses a challenge to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law appeared first on WMNF.
The New College of Florida Board of Trustees on Monday approved a contract for Richard Corcoran to become the school’s interim president, including a $699,000 base salary.
Corcoran, a Republican former speaker of the Florida House and state education commissioner, will replace former New College President Patricia Okker.
Corcoran’s term is slated to begin Feb. 27 and will run through September 2024 if a permanent president hasn’t been selected before then.
The leadership change came after DeSantis last month revamped the board by appointing six conservative members.
The revamped board decided Jan. 31 to remove Okker.
Corcoran will have a base salary that is far higher than the $305,000 base salary that the state university system’s Board of Governors approved for Okker in June 2021.
Trustee Sarah Mackie, who was not part of the recent wave of DeSantis appointees, supported Corcoran’s selection but questioned the hefty salary. “I do understand (Corcoran) is coming into a very contentious situation, so he needs to be compensated.
And we have the funds, which is great. But what kind of standard does this set for when we get our permanent president?” Mackie said.
Debra Jenks, one of the new DeSantis appointees to the board, called Corcoran “the leader that we need” and said he has the political ties to help secure money for New College. “The current offerings are an unattractive mix of mostly low return-on-investment programs, frankly one-sided education. And we need to go back to that work to re-establish the educational excellence standard,” Jenks said.
Corcoran’s contract also will allow him to earn 15 percent of his base salary in “incentive compensation” upon the board’s approval, as well as allotting him $84,000 a year in a housing allowance and $12,000 a year for an automobile allowance.
©2023 The News Service of Florida
The post Richard Corcoran gets $699K contract at New College of Florida appeared first on WMNF.
Kim Jackson joins the discussion to explore the question of growing dictatorship in Florida as the Governor moves against the Advance Placement African American History course. A fast and furious assault on voting rights and a host of other moves by the Florida legislator and the Governor leads us to see a growing fascism and a feeling of marshal law in the state.
Dr. John Streater announced a political, historical film about race violence and labor movement and solidarity followed with a panel discussion.
The post Fascist Dictatorship in Florida appeared first on WMNF.
Moving quickly as Gov. Ron DeSantis seeks to overhaul New College of Florida, lawmakers next week could funnel $15 million to the liberal arts school for such things as hiring faculty and providing scholarships.
The Joint Legislative Budget Commission, which can make mid-year budget decisions, is scheduled to consider the issue during a meeting Wednesday.
The state university system’s Board of Governors requested the money.
“Funds will afford the institution the opportunity to provide a high quality classical liberal arts education to students while striving to become a national leader in higher education,” an agenda item for the meeting says.
“Funds available may be used for hiring faculty, offering student scholarships and covering additional operational costs necessary to transition into a world-class classical liberal arts educational institution.”
DeSantis in January appointed six conservative members to the New College Board of Trustees, leading to heavy speculation that the governor was angling to remake the leadership and direction of the school.
During a meeting last week, the revamped board removed New College President Patricia Okker and named former state Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran as interim president.
The New College board is scheduled to meet Monday to approve a contract with Corcoran, a former Republican state House speaker and political ally of DeSantis.
via News Service of Florida
The post State lawmakers could send $15M to New College of Florida appeared first on WMNF.
On MidPoint Wednesday, we examined the hostile takeover of Florida public education and all of the new DeSantis education “reforms”– vouchers for all, transforming New College, banning Diversity Equity & Inclusion programs, ending tenure, etc. Noted independent journalist Judd Legum, formerly Editor in Chief of ThinkProgress, now of the SubStack subscription newsletter, popular.info, “News for People Who Give a Damn,” has been closely following what is happening to Florida public education. He joined us by telephone from Washington, D.C. to discuss the current state of Florida public education.
Legum’s reporting on the efforts of Manatee County to ban teachers from curating classroom library books under the threat of felony prosecution prompted an attack by Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. Classroom libraries were not banned, Diaz claimed, but books simply needed to be reviewed and “approved,” under the State’s “Don’t Say Gay” and the “Stop Woke” laws. But, as Legum’s reporting showed, those laws and the Dept. of Education’s own training materials for Florida teachers, appear to limit the application of these laws only to classroom instruction, not to books and libraries, and these laws do not clarify what library books would be subject to sanction or be approved. As Legum reports, now, right-wing activists hostile to Florida teachers are seizing on the opportunity to serve as “reviewers” of library books for Manatee County schools. Calling themselves the “Woke-Busters,” the Manatee County Patriots are seeking volunteers to review books and “SAVE the CHILDREN and OUR SOCIETY.”
New College of Florida’s independence and inclusivity is assailed by conservativesThe hostile takeover of public education by Christian conservative ideologues is patently obvious in the restructuring of Florida’s public honors college, New College of Florida, a small, liberal arts campus in Sarasota founded on principles of diversity, equity and inclusivity with a large queer student population. DeSantis has said that he wants to remake New College in the image of Hillsdale College, a small, private, Christian, conservative college in Michigan. Hillsdale, with strong ties to the former Trump Administration, has been a leader in the right’s fight against public schools. Orlando FL Rep. Anna Eskamani recently attended the New College of Florida Board meeting at which the college President was summarily fired and replaced by DeSantis’ former Commissioner of Education, Richard Corcoran. Rep. Eskamani gave WMNF’s MidPoint an overview, in an interview recorded on Monday, Feb 6, of what was happening at New College of Florida, and in the legislature, given DeSantis’ priorities to privatize and pillage public education to promote his Presidential aspirations.
You can listen to the show on demand here, from wmnf.org/midpoint or as a WMNF MidPoint podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
https://sound.wmnf.org/sound/wmnf_230208_100600_12newsW1_423.MP3The post MidPoint-DeSantis’ Hostile Takeover of Public Education appeared first on WMNF.
We look at what is going on with education in Florida — books are getting banned, vouchers for private schools are likely to become more widespread, and high school student-athletes may even have to disclose information about their menstrual histories.
On WMNF’s Tuesday Cafe, we spoke about education in Florida with two guests.
Bianca Goolsby, with Teaching For the Culture, was a full-time teacher but left to advocate for children and the disparities that many of them are facing all around Florida.
Rev. Dr. Russell Meyer is the executive director of the Florida Council of Churches.
Among the other topics we talked about were the AP African-American History course and big changes at New College of Florida.
Listen to the show here:Watch the interview here:WMNF’s Tuesday CaféTuesday Café airs weekly on WMNF beginning at 10:06 a.m. ET.
You can listen live on 88.5 FM in Tampa Bay, on wmnf.org or on the WMNF Community Radio app.
You can listen anytime on demand on wmnf.org or by subscribing to the Tuesday Café podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
https://open.spotify.com/show/311qfxLFcO8F7ZvnjgZogD – WMNF’s Tuesday Café with Seán Kinane.The post Two experts examine the state of education in Florida appeared first on WMNF.
By Ryan Dailey ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — After state education officials rejected an Advanced Placement African-American studies course, The College Board on Wednesday released a new framework that appears to have dropped content that drew objections from the state.
The Florida Department of Education last month sent a letter to The College Board, which developed the course, citing a list of topics and authors as a basis for the rejection.
State education officials essentially told The College Board that the course, a college-level class that would be offered to high-school students, would not be used in Florida classrooms unless changes were made.
In a news release Wednesday about the updated framework, The College Board said Florida’s objections were not taken into account when making revisions to the course.
“No states or districts have seen the official framework that is released, much less provided feedback on it. This course has been shaped only by the input of experts and long-standing AP principles and practices,” the organization said in a statement.
David Coleman, The College Board’s CEO, called the revised course “an unflinching encounter with the facts” and evidence of African American history and culture.
“No one is excluded from this course: the Black artists and inventors whose achievements have come to light; the Black women and men, including gay Americans, who played pivotal roles in the civil-rights movement; and people of faith from all backgrounds who contributed to the anti-slavery and civil-rights causes. Everyone is seen,” Coleman said.
A review of the updated framework, however, indicates that it does not include several topics that were called into question.
For instance, the state took issue with a topic that initially appeared in the course called “Black queer studies.” That topic, the state said, would have included required reading from author Roderick Ferguson.
The updated framework included no mention of Ferguson and did not have the overarching Black queer studies topic. Gov. Ron DeSantis last week specifically criticized the topic’s initial inclusion in the course.
“When you try to use Black history to shoehorn in queer theory, you are clearly trying to use that for political purposes,” the governor said.
DeSantis told reporters Wednesday that he had not seen the updated framework and declined to comment on changes.
The News Service of Florida sought comment Wednesday from the Department of Education after the framework’s release, but the department had not responded as of mid-afternoon.
Other topics such as “movements for Black lives,” “Black feminist literary thought,” “intersectionality and activism” and “the reparations movement” appeared to have been removed from the course.
However, one part of the framework that lists “sample project topics,” which are optional and not a required part of the course, listed possible political and policy debates including “reparations debates in the U.S./ the Americas.” The same list of optional debate topics included “Black conservatism: development and ideology,” and “intersectionality and the dimensions of Black experiences.”
Authors whose works were previously planned to be included in the course, but drew objections from the state, appeared to have been removed from the updated framework.
Angela Davis, who the state education department described as a “self-avowed Communist and Marxist,” did not show up in a search of the revised framework. Bell Hooks, who the department pointed to as an author of “many intersectionality texts,” also was not included in the updated course.
Changes drew an immediate rebuke from the Human Rights Campaign, a major LGBTQ civil-rights organization.
“Today, the College Board released a revised curriculum for its new Advanced Placement course in African American Studies, which attempts to erase Black history by stripping out the names of many Black writers and scholars associated with critical race theory, the Black queer experience, and Black feminism. Other topics, like the Black Lives Matter movement, are now optional,” the organization said in a news release.
Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson called the revisions “censoring Black and queer history” and criticized DeSantis directly.
“We cannot cave to the will of extremist conservatives like Ron DeSantis who are trying to whitewash history and use the power of the government to punish, erase, or attack anyone he disagrees with, including the Black and LGBTQ+ communities,” Robinson said in a statement.
As DeSantis continues to target “trendy ideology” in Florida classrooms, The College Board included in an introductory part of the framework a statement of principles that said Advanced Placement courses do not seek to indoctrinate students.
“AP opposes indoctrination. AP students are expected to analyze different perspectives from their own, and no points on an AP Exam are awarded for agreement with any specific viewpoint. AP students are not required to feel certain ways about themselves or the course content. AP courses instead develop students’ abilities to assess the credibility of sources, draw conclusions, and make up their own minds,” said the section titled “What AP stands for.”
The post Changes made to AP African-American Studies course appeared first on WMNF.
By Ryan Dailey ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — A revamped New College of Florida Board of Trustees on Tuesday quickly shook up leadership at the small liberal-arts school, removing President Patricia Okker and replacing her on an interim basis with former state Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran.
The moves came after Gov. Ron DeSantis this month appointed six conservative board members, leading to heavy speculation that the governor was angling to remake the leadership and direction of the school.
Corcoran, a former Republican House speaker, led high-profile initiatives for DeSantis while serving as education commissioner, such as trying to weed out critical race theory — which is based on the premise that racism is embedded in American society — from Florida classrooms.
Since leaving the commissioner’s post last year, Corcoran has worked at the consulting firm Continental Strategy. He is expected to become New College’s interim president in March. Bradley Thiessen, chief of staff in the school’s Office of the President, was selected by the trustees to lead the school until Corcoran can step in.
Okker was approved as New College president by the state university system’s Board of Governors in 2021 and formerly was dean of University of Missouri’s College of Arts and Sciences.
DeSantis, who has targeted “trendy ideology” in higher education, suggested Tuesday before the Board of Trustees meeting that changes were needed at the Sarasota school.
DeSantis’ comments came as he rolled out a legislative proposal that included asking lawmakers to earmark $15 million in next year’s budget for recruiting and retaining new faculty at New College, with $10 million recurring each year.
“Here’s the thing, it (New College) is by statute supposed to be the premier honors college in Florida. That’s the mission. It clearly has not met that mission, because our premier students are going to UF (the University of Florida) or some of our other schools. So, I think this is going to really reorient it in a very positive way,” DeSantis said.
But in some of her final remarks before trustees voted for her removal, Okker pushed back against what DeSantis frequently characterizes as “indoctrination” on higher-education campuses.
“I’m going to say publicly — I do not believe that students are being indoctrinated at New College. I believe a president needs to stand behind her words when she asks donors to contribute. It is the only way that I can be effective. You cannot ask me to go forward and argue that we are indoctrinating students here,” Okker said.
Corcoran was floated as Okker’s interim replacement by trustee Matthew Spalding, a DeSantis appointee and professor at Hillsdale College, a liberal-arts school in Michigan that is prominent among conservatives.
“This college is languishing. It needs to be revived. It’s got a great potential future. It can be much larger, much more influential, much more flourishing in the Florida system,” Spalding said, adding that he aimed to “have leadership that is fully committed to that direction.”
Spalding told trustees that he and Corcoran are “old friends” and that Corcoran, who was not present at Tuesday’s meeting, would agree to take the interim position.
Corcoran drew headlines after a speaking engagement at Hillsdale College in 2021, in which he touted a proposal to place strict guidelines on the way U.S. history is taught in Florida classrooms. The state Board of Education ultimately approved the proposal later that year.
Before the vote on Okker’s removal, trustee Grace Keenan, who is New College’s student-body president, was among the trustees who argued that Okker should be able to keep her job.
“I think you’ve done an amazing job,” Keenan told Okker. “I think you are an incredible person to lead us through these changes, and I hope you stay.”
The post New College of Florida president is ousted; Richard Corcoran is named its new president appeared first on WMNF.
Since 2005, many people from around the world have been collectively commemorating the loss of victims of the Holocaust. January 27th was chosen as the International Holocaust Remembrance day because this day marks the anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi Concentration and Extermination camps by Soviet Troops).
January 2023’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day came on the heels of a controversial subject in Florida regarding the Florida Department of Education (FDE) decision to reject a proposed Advanced Placement (AP) African American studies course in high schools. As part of the FDE’s defense, some of the proposed course lessons did not comply with Florida’s law or the state’s education standards.
Vice-President Kamala Harris had this to say about Florida’s controversial law, “Every student in our nation should be able to learn about the culture, contributions, and experiences of all Americans — including Black Americans — who shaped our history”.
Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. However, not everyone has equal access to education, and governments largely control what is taught in public schools.
With any proposed changes in life there will always be supporters and critics, and the final verdict will never be satisfactory to all. Regardless of whose political agenda prevails in these heated discussions, individuals can still choose to self-educate themselves on matters that are important to them.
On Morning Energy we are going to spend time exploring the importance of self-education as it relates to so many different areas of our lives.
Join me, Renna Reddick Friday from 4 to 6 a.m. for a special musical journey about this topic! I am definitely looking forward to spending time with you on the airwaves and sharing your energy!!!The post “The Importance of Self-Education” on Morning Energy appeared first on WMNF.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day is January 27th, the date the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp was liberated. MidPoint’s guest today was Michael Igel, the Board Chairman of the Florida Holocaust Museum and Chair of the Florida Dept. Of Education’s Task Force on Holocaust Education. He discussed his family’s own Holocaust experiences, the importance of Holocaust remembrance, adapting Holocaust education as survivors pass on, Holocaust education in the age of “Stop Woke” laws, the rise of anti-Semitism, and much more.
You can visit the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg and engage with its extraordinary Dimensions in Testimony exhibit from the USC Shoah Foundation. The exhibit combines artificial intelligence and ultra-high definition filming to permit a conversational dialogue between Holocaust survivors and audiences. The Florida Holocaust Museum is one of only a dozen museums worldwide to house this unique exhibition.
You can listen to the show here, or as a WMNF MidPoint podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
https://sound.wmnf.org/sound/wmnf_230125_100600_12newsW1_423.MP3The post Holocaust Remembrance Day appeared first on WMNF.
Fallout from the blocking of AP African American studies in Florida which is being tested in 60 schools across the U.S.
More discussion on the environment.
The post No Advanced Placement studies in Florida so far appeared first on WMNF.
It’s no secret that Hillsborough Co. schools are financially strapped. Teachers are underpaid and leaving the system. To find more financial savings, the school district has plans to make sweeping changes to the county school attendance boundaries, including “repurposing” some underutilized schools entirely, to save money and rebalance enrollments from some over-crowded schools to others that are underpopulated. According to school superintendent Addison Davis, 24% of the county’s schools are overcrowded while 44% of the schools do not have sufficient numbers of students enrolled to make it economically feasible to operate them. The anticipated financial savings from “repurposing” those schools could be used to better compensate school teachers. There are no firm plans now as to how the “repurposed” schools would be utilized under these changes. The district has said it would not sell the underutilized school properties but would continue to use them for non-instructional educational purposes, perhaps as district administrative sites or early learning centers, or even possibly as teacher workforce housing.
A consultant, WXY Studio, Inc., was hired by the school district to advise the school board on how to rebalance the district attendance boundaries. The consultant has developed 3 different proposals or scenarios with the number of “repurposed” schools affected ranging from as few as 3 to as many as 12, and the number of reassigned students ranging from as few as 11,000 to as many as 24,000. But, the public and the school board are both critical of the limited information the school system has put out so far about the boundary changes and the anticipated financial savings the district claims would be realized from these proposals.
Find Out MoreThe school district is currently in the process of presenting information about the proposals to the public, both digitally and at in-person meetings, and receiving feedback from the public. The district has created a website with the proposed attendance boundary maps and information about the plans and the school affected by repurposing. The public is invited to comment there and to attend the in-person meetings. To learn more about the boundary analysis, and check your address to see the three scenarios, and to leave feedback for the proposed school assignments, go to https://www.hcps-boundary.org/.
More public engagement meetings are scheduled at area high schools, all from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, including tonight, January 11, at Plant High School and Leto High School, tomorrow, January 12 at Gaither High School and Sickles High School, and on Friday, January 13, at Bloomingdale and Wharton High Schools. The district and consultant will present and there will be an opportunity for questions from the public. On January 14 at 1:00 pm at the Gandy Civic Center on Oklahoma Avenue in South Tampa, School Board representative Lynn Gray will also host an informational session on the boundary changes. On January 31, the school board will hold a workshop to review the proposed scenarios and the feedback on them that the district has received from the public. The workshop is open to the public but public comment is not permitted there.
The school board has the authority to make the final decision on any attendance boundary redistricting plan. They could choose to adopt one of the 3 plans already proposed or some hybrid of them, or even decide to abandon efforts to change the attendance boundaries altogether. A decision is expected in late February.
On January 11, 2023, MidPoint was joined by Hillsborough County PTA President Ami Marie Granger Welch, V.P. of Advocacy Ellen Koehler Lyons, and V.P. of Community Engagement Earlishia Oates to discuss the proposed changes to the Hillsborough County School District attendance boundaries. Listen to their comments and the entire show here:
https://sound.wmnf.org/sound/wmnf_230111_100600_12newsW1_423.MP3The post Big Changes Coming to School Attendance Boundaries? appeared first on WMNF.
On WMNF’s Tuesday Café we spoke with the President of United Faculty of Florida and with a New College of Florida alumnus about the school and about six conservative activists that Governor Ron DeSantis just appointed to the Board of Trustees of the liberal arts college.
Our guests were Andrew Gothard, President of United Faculty of Florida — the union representing college and university faculty and New College alumnus Chelsea Hall. She’s a PhD candidate at Harvard in Religion, Gender and Culture studies.
Listen to the full show here:Watch the interview with New College of Florida alumnus Chelsea Hall:Watch the interview with UFF president Andrew Gothard:New College of Florida is a small liberal arts college, but it’s also part of the state college and university system.
That mix makes it popular with many students and faculty. But it also makes it a target.
On Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis’s office announced he was appointing six people to the New College of Florida Board of Trustees. There are 13 total members.
Some critics say the New College of Florida model isn’t working. They cite low enrollment, low scores on state university rankings and the efficient use of public money.
But according to the New College website, the Fiske Guide to Colleges ranks New College a “Best Buy” public college. U.S. News & World Report ranks it as the #5 public liberal arts college in the nation. And in the Best Value Schools’ ranking of its “50 Best Value Small Schools” it comes in #2. So a pretty good case could be made for not messing with the success.
WMNF’s Tuesday CaféWMNF’s Tuesday Café airs weekly beginning at 10:06 a.m. ET.
You can listen on 88.5 FM in Tampa Bay, on wmnf.org or on the WMNF Community Radio app.
The post New College alumni and UFF push back after DeSantis appoints 6 Trustees appeared first on WMNF.
By Ryan Dailey ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday appointed six new members to the New College of Florida Board of Trustees in a move that one appointee and conservative ally of DeSantis said is aimed at “recapturing higher education.”
The picks will allow DeSantis to make more of an imprint on the board at the Sarasota liberal-arts college, after the governor in an inauguration address Tuesday targeted “trendy ideology” in higher education.
The new trustees include a senior fellow at a conservative think tank, a dean at a prominent conservative college, a professor at a California college, an Emory University professor, an attorney who is a New College graduate and a founder of a Christian school.
The appointees, Christopher Rufo, Matthew Spalding, Charles Kesler, Mark Bauerlein, Debra Jenks and Eddie Speir, will require confirmation by the Florida Senate. Under state law, university boards of trustees are required to have 13 members, though only 11 were listed Friday on the New College website.
Bryan Griffin, DeSantis’ press secretary, told The News Service of Florida in a statement that the trustee picks have “a firsthand understanding of the Florida education system” that is a “product of their work with us” and the state Department of Education.
In The Daily Caller, a conservative media outlet, DeSantis’ chief of staff, James Uthmeier, was quoted as saying the revamped board could make the school “along the lines of a Hillsdale of the South,” — alluding to Hillsdale College, a Christian college in Michigan that is prominent among conservatives.
Spalding is a professor at Hillsdale and dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale’s Washington, D.C., campus.
When asked by the News Service about how the trustee choices would factor into bringing about the potential changes described by Uthmeier, Griffin pointed to a “skewed focus” at New College.
“The New College of Florida is a public institution with a statutorily stated mission of ‘provid[ing] a quality education.’ Unfortunately, like so many colleges and universities in America, this institution has been completely captured by a political ideology that puts trendy, truth-relative concepts above learning,” Griffin said in a statement.
“In particular, New College of Florida has reached a moment of critical mass, wherein low student enrollment and other financial stresses have emerged from its skewed focus and impractical course offerings,” Griffin said.
The smallest school in Florida’s university system, New College has about 700 students and lists one of its core values as building a “just, diverse, equitable and inclusive community” on campus.
“We seek a balance between recognizing and celebrating difference, respectfully supporting each other’s growth, and ensuring that historically marginalized and oppressed groups are not experiencing trauma and harm,” an online post describing New College’s values said.
DeSantis’ appointments came after his administration last week directed state higher-education officials to gather information about resources colleges and universities devote to programs centered on diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory. Critical race theory is based on the premise that racism is embedded in American society.
The choices for the New College board drew criticism from Andrew Gothard, president of the United Faculty of Florida union.
“Like many Floridians who have ties to the New College community, UFF (the United Faculty of Florida) was surprised and disturbed today to see the appointment of six trustees whose only apparent interest in the institution is politically and ideologically motivated,” Gothard said in a statement to the News Service.
Gothard said trustees have a “solemn duty” to act in the best interest of everyone on campuses.
“Promises to upend programs with ideologically driven claims that could not be farther from the truth of what actually occurs in a higher education classroom — these do nothing to improve New College, nor will they draw interested students to a campus where trustees are so at odds with the faculty, the local administration and the truth,” Gothard said.
Rufo, who previously made a public appearance with DeSantis, was described in a news release Friday from DeSantis’ office as having “led the fight against critical race theory in American institutions.” Rufo is a senior fellow with The Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank.
“My ambition is to help the new board majority transform New College into a classical liberal arts institution. We are recapturing higher education.” Rufo said in a Twitter post.
Before joining Hillsdale College, Spalding was vice president of American studies at the conservative Heritage Foundation.
“Governor DeSantis is leading the nation in educational reform and post-secondary responsibility,” Spalding said in a prepared statement released by Hillsdale College.
Kesler is a professor of government at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, Calif. Kesler also has authored books including, “I Am the Change: Barack Obama and the Crisis of Liberalism.”
Bauerlein is a professor of English at Emory University in Atlanta who has published articles in various publications and written several books. One book, published in 2008, was titled “The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future; Or, Don’t Trust Anyone Under 30.”
Jenks, an attorney who is the only New College graduate among the appointees, is a partner at the firm Jenks & Harvey, LLP.
Speir is a founder of Inspiration Academy, a Christian school in Bradenton that launched in 2013.
The post Picks by DeSantis could lead to changes at New College of Florida appeared first on WMNF.
By Ryan Dailey ©2023 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — As Gov. Ron DeSantis targets “trendy ideology” in higher education, his administration is asking state colleges and universities for information about resources they are putting into activities related to diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory.
DeSantis has made the fight against critical race theory — which is based on the premise that racism is embedded in American institutions — a linchpin of his education and political agenda.
During an inauguration speech Tuesday to start his second term, DeSantis took aim at ideological issues on campuses.
“We must ensure school systems are responsive to parents and to students, not partisan interest groups, and we must ensure that our institutions of higher learning are focused on academic excellence and the pursuit of truth, not the imposition of trendy ideology,” the governor said in his prepared remarks.
Chris Spencer, director of DeSantis’ Office of Policy and Budget, sent a memo Dec. 28 to Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. and state university system Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, who oversee the college and university systems.
“As the Executive Office of the Governor prepares policy and budget proposals ahead of the 2023 Legislative Session, it is important that we have a full understanding of the operational expenses of state institutions,” Spencer wrote in the memo.
The memo said colleges and universities are required to “provide a comprehensive list of all staff, programs and campus activities related to diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory.”
In addition, they are directed to detail “costs associated with the administration of each program or activity,” including a description of the activities, paid positions and how much of the money is provided by the state.
Diaz and Rodrigues are required to collect and submit the schools’ responses by Jan. 13.
DeSantis has repeatedly clashed with Democratic lawmakers and unions representing professors and teachers over his education initiatives.
United Faculty of Florida President Andrew Gothard, said Wednesday his union is “deeply concerned” about the Dec. 28 memo, which he called a “horrible directive.”
“Attempts such as these by the governor to chill speech and to intimidate those he disagrees with into remaining silent, altering their curriculum, and silencing their students are an affront to democracy and the American way of life,” Gothard, who is a professor at Florida Atlantic University, said in a statement to The News Service of Florida.
“Let those who supported Governor DeSantis in the recent election heed this warning: A man who will silence those whom he disagrees — in the classroom and beyond — will one day find a reason to silence you as well,”
Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, also blasted the memo in a Twitter post.
“In the so-called free state of Florida under Gov. DeSantis, the freedom to run DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs at public colleges and universities appears next on the radar for destruction. Nothing is safe and it’s sickening,” Nixon tweeted.
But Christopher Rufo, a senior fellow with The Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank, praised the move.
“Gov. DeSantis is going to lay siege to university ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ programs,” Rufo said in a tweet.
The post DeSantis wants Florida colleges and universities to list resources they are putting into activities on diversity, equity and inclusion and critical race theory appeared first on WMNF.
By Jim Saunders ©2022 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Nearly two years after the controversial measure passed, a federal judge next month will consider the constitutionality of a Florida law that requires conducting surveys on state college and university campuses about “intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity” and includes other changes that opponents argue violate First Amendment rights.
Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker is scheduled to start a trial Jan. 9 in a challenge by the United Faculty of Florida and other plaintiffs to a 2021 law approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Under the law (HB 233), annual surveys began this spring about “intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity” at colleges and universities. Also, the law said schools may not “shield” students and faculty members from “ideas and opinions that they may find uncomfortable, unwelcome, disagreeable or offensive.”
In addition, it opens the door to lawsuits based on violations of people’s “expressive rights” at colleges and universities and allows students to record class lectures ”in connection with a complaint to the public institution of higher education where the recording was made, or as evidence in, or in preparation for, a criminal or civil proceeding.”
In a pre-trial brief, plaintiffs’ attorneys wrote that the “First Amendment’s strong predilection for academic freedom overcomes the state’s interests in HB 233.”
“They (plaintiffs) simply want the freedom to teach as they have before, without fear that discussing their viewpoints, or exercising legitimate (pedagogical) decisions about what to cover in their class — or making decisions about when to shut down a conversation that is unproductive or disruptive to the learning environment — will cause a student to use HB 233’s new, expansive monitoring tools, to report that their institutions are biased or hostile to intellectual freedom in the annual surveys, or report them for violating the anti-shielding provisions, perhaps secretly recording them in the process,” the plaintiffs’ Dec. 8 brief said.
But attorneys for the state argued in a pre-trial brief that the law “does not restrict any speech, is not content-based on its face, and the state’s asserted interest, backed by the legislative record, is similarly content-neutral, unrelated to the suppression of speech.” Defendants in the case are the state university system’s Board of Governors, the State Board of Education and Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr.
“After more than a year of litigation, the trial in this case will confirm what has been true from the outset: Plaintiffs have not been injured by HB 233, none of their hypothetical fears have materialized, none of their conspiracy theories are borne out by the evidence, and none of their constitutional rights have been violated,” the state’s brief, also filed Dec. 8, said, “The central fact plaintiffs have successfully established thus far, and the fact they will establish with certainty at trial, is that they vehemently disagree with HB 233 as a matter of policy. … But a policy disagreement does not give rise to a cognizable injury at all, let alone a deprivation of plaintiffs’ constitutional rights at the hands of defendants.”
Walker on Dec. 9 rejected motions by both sides for summary judgments, which, if granted, would have short-circuited the need for a trial.
“As for plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment, factual disputes and competing inferences abound. … Plaintiffs’ First Amendment claims require this court to engage in a fact-intensive inquiry, which this court is better suited for doing at the bench trial,” Walker wrote in part of the order.
The trial will come amid broader debates about attempts by DeSantis and Republican lawmakers to place additional restrictions on what is taught on college and university campuses and in public schools.
Walker last month issued a preliminary injunction against a 2022 law that restricts the way race-related concepts can be taught in universities. DeSantis dubbed the law the “Stop Wrongs To Our Kids and Employees Act,” or “Stop WOKE Act.” The state has appealed Walker’s ruling to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
In their pretrial brief, the plaintiffs’ attorneys cited Walker’s ruling in the Stop WOKE case to try to bolster arguments against the 2021 law. Also, for example, they wrote that the annual surveys “put pressure on Florida colleges, universities, and faculty to avoid any speech that could cause them to be reported to defendants as excessively liberal in the annual surveys. Those surveys, moreover, are designed to collect information about speech outside of any useful context in which any actual concerns about problematic bias could be appropriately investigated and addressed.”
But attorneys for the state wrote that the law does not require students and faculty members to participate in the surveys and does not “require anyone to ‘register’ their political beliefs — a central feature of plaintiffs’ claims.”
“(The) survey provisions’ purpose is to move beyond anecdotes to empirically assess freedom of expression and viewpoint diversity on Florida’s public campuses,” the state’s pre-trial brief said. “This is a perfectly legitimate end for the state to pursue. Like a thermometer, the surveys are meant to be a diagnostic tool designed to take the temperature of taxpayer-funded campuses. The survey provisions presuppose no diagnosis, prescribe no course of treatment and predict no future action or consequence.”
The post A judge is poised to hear a case on the fight over Florida’s ‘Intellectual Freedom’ law appeared first on WMNF.
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, signaled support Thursday for a potential expansion of Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” law, which drew heavy opposition this year from critics who labeled it the “don’t say gay” bill.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the law (HB 1557) in March, amid a controversy that centered mainly on a provision that bars classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third-grade.
Also, the law requires that such instruction be “age-appropriate … in accordance with state academic standards” in higher grades.
Passidomo told reporters Thursday that she would consider expanding the law to bar instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in additional grades. “The one thing that I think could be looked at is, we ended it at grades one through three. I don’t think I’d be supportive of high school, because kids in high school are hopefully a little bit more mature, at least they should be. But, you know, the middle school, maybe going to sixth grade or something like that,” Passidomo said.
Opponents have argued the law, which has been challenged in federal court, chills educators’ ability to discuss sensitive topics with students and removes teachers as a lifeline for vulnerable LGBTQ youth.
The law’s Republican supporters, however, billed it as a way for parents to have more control over what their children encounter in the classroom.
“I really believe, and I’m a parent — of course, my kids are older — I want to know what’s going on in schools. And I want to be able to be consulted,” Passidomo said.
The law also has served as a basis for the State Board of Education to scrutinize LGBTQ support guides in 10 school districts, including Hillsborough.
A meeting of the state board Wednesday revealed that the districts are in various stages of revising the support guides, and in some cases have discontinued use of the documents.
via News Service of Florida
The post Florida Senate President points to possible expansion of “Don’t Say Gay” education law appeared first on WMNF.
As Hillsborough County public schools report hundreds of instructional vacancies, teachers are appealing the school board, amid a staffing shortage they warn could grow worse in the months to come if concerns about pay and working conditions aren’t adequately addressed.
The Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association (HCTA), representing thousands of school staff in Hillsborough County, is asking the district to agree to salaries that fully account for employees’ years of service, and to meaningfully address working conditions that teachers describe as “unsustainable.”
“I have had multiple nervous breakdowns because I can’t meet the demands of the job,” one local teacher, who did not provide their name, told school board members Tuesday night. “How do I give my kids the attention that they deserve, the quality education they deserve, the feedback they deserve when more demands are coming, and there’s not enough time to meet them?”
The Hillsborough County school district, one of the largest in the country, is currently short over 500 instructional staff. Several teachers reported a loss in planning time and untenable working conditions, as they’re tasked with doing more with wages they say aren’t sufficient to make ends meet.
For months, the teachers union has been at impasse with the district, largely over a pay dispute against the backdrop of rising rents and an inflation rate that exceeds the national average.
As a result of a pause during the pandemic, Hillsborough County’s public school teachers are two steps behind on their salary schedule, leaving some instructional staff short hundreds, or even thousands of dollars in pay.
In an effort to increase pressure on the district, about 40 HCTA members and supporters packed the school board meeting Tuesday night, as they have for months, wearing red, pro-union t-shirts. They share their personal stories and those of colleagues who didn’t have the time to attend.
“We cannot survive, and that is why we keep losing teachers,” said Austin Maheu, a music teacher at Rodgers Middle School in Riverview. “The band director of my school, who has a concert this week, has covered every day since last Monday during his planning period, and has no time to get ready for his concert tonight — which is why he’s not here.”
Emily Griest, a teacher at Riverview High School, shared the story of one of her colleagues, a single mom who loves her job, but is struggling to keep her head above water. “She told me just this week that she’s afraid for her children because her landlord recently raised her rent to $2,000 a month just for a roof over her head. Her monthly salary is about $3,000,” said Griest, a union representative at her school who’s tasked with regularly checking in with her colleagues.
Emily Griest, a local teacher, shares a story of a local colleague facing financial hardship at a Hillsborough County school board meeting on Dec. 14, 2022.“Due to the lack of steps that we’ve had for our last two years, she and her family have had to move every single year just to be able to afford to keep a roof over her head, to escape the rising rent and inflation in the Hillsborough County,” said Griest.
The teachers union and the school district have been at an impasse since August — meaning, they’ve been unable to come to an agreement themselves, and have called for a third party through Florida’s Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC) to intervene.
The district has offered a single step on the pay scale, plus a one-time, non-recurring supplemental payment that’s equal to a second step. But the union says that isn’t good enough — and it won’t stop teachers from leaving for something that pays more, and demands less. They’re asking for the district to pay staff for their full years of service. And they dispute the district’s argument that they lack the money to do this.
Last week, a special magistrate from PERC heard arguments from both parties, and received information about the district’s financial situation to determine what’s feasible for the district economically.
School district attorney Jeff Gibson argued the union “is vastly oversimplifying these issues” of whether the district can afford to pay teachers for their full years of service, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Jessica Vaughn, a member of the Hillsborough County school board, admitted the issue is complicated. While the district has received additional funds in COVID-19 relief from the state, they’ve been given clear instructions on how exactly that can be spent. Otherwise, the state could take that money back.
“The issue is, even if that helped build up our reserves, the money that we have in savings, it doesn’t, it’s not a reoccurring fee,” Vaughn told WMNF. By that logic, guaranteeing a reoccurring amount of money to teachers using a lump sum isn’t sustainable, per the district.
But Vaughn, a board member and former substitute teacher who received the union’s endorsement, said she’s been trying to find ways to find the money to pay school employees the steps they’re owed. “I have personally voted no on several items that have come out of our general fund that are reoccurring…I believe we should be prioritizing paying our staff a livable wage.”
But pay is just part of the problem. Many teachers on Tuesday shared feeling overworked, riddled with anxiety and depression as they spend additional hours laboring to support their students’ education, as well as the livelihoods of themselves and their families.
Florida teachers have also faced partisan attacks from Republican politicians and conservative ‘parental rights’ groups on on their abilities as educators, in an additional hit to morale. Nationwide, schools are reporting a rise in disruptive student behavior since the pandemic began. And the state of students’ mental health, over the pandemic’s period of uncertainty, isolation, and loss, has spiraled into what the U.S. Surgeon General has described as a crisis.
The Hillsborough County teacher who did not identify themselves during public comment said they’ve reluctantly been looking for work outside of the profession. “And it breaks my heart, because I love my kids,” they said.
Between tears, they shared that the current demands of the job, including the extra time it takes just to ensure compliance with Florida’s new education laws, is unsustainable.
A local teacher tells the Hillsborough County school board she’s considering leaving the profession, despite love for the job, on Dec. 13, 2022.“Every single teacher I know wants to leave. Every. Single. One,” they said. “Some feel stuck because they retire soon. Some feel stuck because they have no other way of making money, and they don’t have the time to dedicate to find another job. Some feel forced out because they can no longer afford to live on their salary.”
Maheu, the middle school music teacher, said he cares deeply for his students, and he’s trying to stay on the job, in order to provide them with consistency. He said students ask him constantly whether he’s going to stay, or leave like some of their other teachers have.
“Every time, I look them in the eyes and say, ‘I’m going to stay here, don’t worry. I’m going to stay,’ at least until you’re gone through the system. And I can live with a clear conscience,” said Maheu. “But I don’t know if I can do that. I don’t know if I can come back next year under these conditions.”
He can’t afford to save for retirement, he says, or afford to save to have kids with his wife — who also teaches. Addressing the school board, Maheu said, “There are things that you could do right now that would make a major noticeable difference in the lives of everyone in this room.”
The school board has the authority to uphold or deny the special magistrate’s decision on the impasse between HCTA and Hillsborough County Schools. And the union expects that decision will come around mid-February.
But, the union told WMNF that the school district could also decide to go back to the bargaining table and to provide the union with what they’ve asked for at any time.
“We are ‘on hold’ only to the extent that the district remains unwilling to pay employees for the experience they’ve gained over the last two years,” said Graham Picklesimer, HCTA’s executive director, over email.
The post Hillsborough County teachers warn teacher shortage could grow worse as a pay dispute continues appeared first on WMNF.
On Wednesday, the State Board of Education will meet.
One topic will be whether ten school districts, including Hillsborough County, are following Florida’s new “parental rights in education” law, which critics call “Don’t Say Gay.”
On WMNF’s Tuesday Café, we spoke with Jessica Vaughn, a member of the Hillsborough County School Board.
We talked about teacher contract negotiations and how the district is filling teaching vacancies.
Listen to the show here:Florida’s special legislative session on property insuranceWe also heard about this week’s special legislative session on Florida’s property insurance crisis. The session began Monday and is scheduled to conclude Friday.
WMNF’s Tuesday CaféWMNF’s Tuesday Café airs weekly beginning at 10:06 a.m. ET.
You can listen on 88.5 FM in Tampa Bay, on wmnf.org or on the WMNF Community Radio app.
The post The state of education in Florida with Hillsborough School Board member Jessica Vaughn appeared first on WMNF.
A federal judge blocked Florida's "positively dystopian" Stop WOKE law that restricts how race can be taught in universities.
The post Judge blocks Florida’s Stop WOKE law on race-related instruction appeared first on WMNF.
After months of negotiations, the Pinellas County School Board unanimously approved a new contract agreement on Tuesday that delivers pay raises for over 7,000 teachers and instructional staff in Pinellas County public schools, as well as more paid planning days, supplements, and one-time bonuses for longtime educators. “This is a great day for Pinellas County... Read more »
The post Pinellas County School Board approves new contract raising teacher pay, starting salary to $50k appeared first on WMNF.
Florida higher education officials gave initial approval to a tenure-review regulation for university professors based on the Stop WOKE law.
The post A Florida tenure review regulation for university professors advances; it includes a “Stop WOKE” provision appeared first on WMNF.
Parents and others have filed a revised lawsuit after a federal judge tossed out a challenge to Florida's "Don't Say Gay" education law.
The post Opponents revamp their challenge to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” education law appeared first on WMNF.
A Florida law to restrict the way race-related topics can be taught could factor into a new tenure-review process for university professors.
The post University tenure review could be tied to Florida’s “Stop WOKE” law on race instruction appeared first on WMNF.
The University of Florida Board of Trustees unanimously approved U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse as the panel's pick to be the UF's next president.
The post Trustees unanimously choose Ben Sasse as the University of Florida president appeared first on WMNF.
The University of Florida’s Faculty Senate has no confidence in a search process in which Sen. Ben Sasse was the sole finalist to lead UF.
The post Ben Sasse as lone presidential finalist draws a no-confidence vote from the UF Faculty Senate appeared first on WMNF.
Teachers in six counties hit hard by Hurricane Ian are slated to receive $2 million from the Florida Disaster Fund.
The post Florida teachers in Sarasota, DeSoto, Hardee, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties will get Hurricane Ian disaster relief appeared first on WMNF.
We speak with the co-president of the UF Graduate Assistants United union, which opposes Ben Sasse being the only finalist for UF president.
The post The graduate assistants union at the University of Florida opposes Ben Sasse as the lone finalist for UF president appeared first on WMNF.
Education issues like parental rights and teachers unions are key in Florida's 2022 gubernatorial race between Ron DeSantis & Charlie Crist.
The post DeSantis and Crist clash on education issues in the race for Florida governor appeared first on WMNF.
2.43 million people in Florida are eligible for reductions or elimination of student-loan debt under Biden's plan.
The post Student loan forgiveness affects 2.43 million Floridians appeared first on WMNF.
Educational support staff could see a 4.25% pay raise under a new deal reached between their union and Pinellas County Schools.
The post Pinellas County educational support staff could see higher wages under new deal with the district appeared first on WMNF.
Nancy Velardi, president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, talks with WMNF about education concerns in Florida.
The post Florida teachers face issues like staffing shortages, cost of living and restrictive new state laws appeared first on WMNF.
We reprised “Ask The Trainer,” in which listeners are invited to call or email questions for dog trainer Glen Hatchell to answer about their dogs or cats, particularly involving behavioral issues.
The post Dog trainer, behaviorist & former WMNF programmer Glen Hatchell answers listener questions on “Ask The Trainer” appeared first on WMNF.
Just one week into the school year, Pinellas County Schools is short nearly 400 teachers and personnel, according to the local school district. While Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is trying to recruit former cops, firefighters, veterans, and other first responders to fill the massive teacher shortage across the state, teachers in Tampa Bay say that... Read more »
The post Pinellas teachers call for pay that keeps up with rising cost of living, amid teacher shortage appeared first on WMNF.
Florida's Dozier School for Boys was open for 111 years in Marianna, Florida, and had a long history of terror, abuse, and disappearances. The school closed in 2011, but the search for the bones and identities of over 50 boys in unnamed graves still continues. This week on Midpoint forensic anthropologist and author Erin Kimmerle spoke about the search and her new book, We Carry Their Bones. Her work also formed the basis for the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead.
The post MidPoint: The Bones of The Dozier School appeared first on WMNF.
Academic freedom is under attack. Over the past 2 years, the DeSantis administration has undertaken a complete reform of education policies constraining academic freedom by passing SB 7044. In the state colleges and universities, professors are concerned. MidPoint interviews the President of the faculty union at USF and a USF History professor to learn why.
The post MidPoint: Academic Freedom is Under Attack in Florida appeared first on WMNF.
Bertha Vazquez, ScieneSaves education director, discusses why science literacy is vital to sustainability
The post Bertha Vazquez, ScienceSaves education director, discusses why science literacy is vital to sustainability appeared first on WMNF.
This week on MidPoint, Dr. India White and Raegan Miller discuss the recent rejection of 54 math textbooks in the state of Florida.
The post MidPoint: Math Book Rejections Don’t Add Up appeared first on WMNF.
First, it was ‘Don’t Say Gay’. Now, the news gets stranger in Florida as DeSantis condones the rejection of math textbooks. In addition, the topic of women managing men and their microaggressions brings up the biases that many overlook, or even enable in the workplace. The Surly Feminists discussed these topics on this week’s Surly... Read more »
The post Surly Voices: Managing Men and Math appeared first on WMNF.
Freddy Barton, executive director of Safe and Sound Hillsborough, a community-based intervention program intended to prevent violence in Hillsborough County joined WaveMakers on April 19.
The post WaveMakers: Freddy Barton of Safe and Sound Hillsborough appeared first on WMNF.
President Trump’s former Education secretary Betsy DeVos and her family have donated $280,000 to support Florida governor Ron DeSantis.
The post Betsy DeVos’ family donated $280,000 to support Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appeared first on WMNF.
Following reports of antisemitism in USF's Greek Life organizations, Holocaust Survivor Helga Melmed shared her story with students on the effects of hate and ignorance.
The post Holocaust survivor addresses USF fraternities and sororities appeared first on WMNF.
This week, host Shelley Reback is joined by Debbie Ducko, Andrew and Leanne Klumb to discuss Tampa Pride, as well as the 'Don't Say Gay' bill.
The post MidPoint: Say Gay, Celebrate Pride appeared first on WMNF.
Members of USF's Students for a Democratic Society protested the U.S.'s intervention in Ukraine as well as sanctions on Russia.
The post USF students protest U.S. intervention in Ukraine appeared first on WMNF.
The U.S. Education Secretary has spoken with LGBTQ students in Florida. He says he supports students even if their governor does not.
The post U.S. Education Secretary expresses solidarity with Florida’s LGBTQ students over “Don’t Say Gay” bill appeared first on WMNF.
This week, MidPoint hosts columnist William March and Rep. Andrew Learned to discuss the legislation that has passed in this year's session.
The post MidPoint’s Legislative Wrap-Up: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly appeared first on WMNF.
The Pasco school district’s health policy is about $11 million in debt because of COVID-related claims by unvaccinated employees.
The post Unvaccinated staff cost Pasco County school district $11 million, according to a report appeared first on WMNF.
On Tuesday the Florida Senate passed a bill that would forbid schools from teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. Supporters call it the Parental Rights in Education bill. Opponents call it “Don’t Say Gay” and warn that it may marginalize at-risk students.
The bill passed 22-17, mostly along party lines. But two Republican Senators — Jennifer Bradley and Jeff Brandes — voted against the bill. Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to sign HB 1557 into law.
Response by Department of Education In response, the U.S. Department of Education issued a statement on its website. In it, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona accused Florida leaders of “prioritizing hateful bills that hurt some of the students most in need.”
Cordona went on to say that “all schools receiving federal funding must follow federal civil rights law, including Title IX’s protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”
Cordona’s full statement
“Parents across the country are looking to national, state, and district leaders to support our nation’s students, help them recover from the pandemic, and provide them the academic and mental health supports they need. Instead, leaders in Florida are prioritizing hateful bills that hurt some of the students most in need. The Department of Education has made clear that all schools receiving federal funding must follow federal civil rights law, including Title IX’s protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We stand with our LGBTQ+ students in Florida and across the country, and urge Florida leaders to make sure all their students are protected and supported.”
– U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona
The bill passed despite weeks of protests by students and others against the bill.
Blake High School freshman Scout Pytlak participated in one such demonstration at their Tampa school last week. On WMNF’s Tuesday Cafe Pytlak said the bill “will only create more ignorance about a community that receives so much hatred and discrimination as it is.”
The post U.S. Department of Education warns Florida after Legislature passes the “Don’t Say Gay” bill appeared first on WMNF.
WARNING: GRAPHIC PHOTOS AHEAD, READER DISCRETION ADVISED
In the field outside USF’s library on Tuesday, the orange signs read “ABORTION VICTIM PHOTOS AHEAD.” Handing out pamphlets and engaging students in conversation were activists calling for an end to all abortions and what they describe as ‘ageism’.
Listen to the full story here:
Their organization is Created Equal, a nonprofit out of Columbus, Ohio. Each year, they travel around the country to promote their stance through campus outreach and protests: No matter what the circumstances, abortion is wrong.
Ava Frank, the organization’s media assistant, said that even in extreme cases like rape or incest, abortion should never be allowed:
“Our organization would like to see the total ban of all abortions, so we are in favor of either restrictions or a total ban.”
Photo by: Rayna L. Kanas
In Florida, they’re getting their wish. As of Friday, Florida’s abortion ban has passed in the House and Senate, and Gov. DeSantis is expected to sign it into law. This bill would be the most restrictive in state history, banning abortions past 15 weeks of pregnancy without exceptions for rape, incest or other extreme circumstances.
However, such a controversial stance doesn’t come without its backlash. Some students were vocal in their opposition to the out-of-state group, engaging in heated discussions. One woman knocked down a graphic poster, telling the group they should be ashamed of themselves.
“I think that it’s wrong to have every single way to the library covered with these signs or have people in every single walkway,” said Allie Shields, a junior political science major at USF.” That’s not right, that’s borderline harassment”
Photo by: Rayna L. Kanas
Danielle McDonald, the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at USF, said that the organization went through all the proper measures to be on campus. Though she acknowledges the stress it can put on students. She emphasized that the university has resources to utilize such as the center for victim advocacy and the counseling center. Those can be accessed on campus or online at usf.edu.
The post Ohio anti-abortion group speaks out at USF appeared first on WMNF.
The news from all over the globe has not only been bleak, it’s bordered on downright terrifying. Whether the location is across the globe or in our backyard, it affects the whole of society. This week on Surly Voices, hosts Liz, Donna and Amina wade through the quagmire of dark news.
Listen to the full episode here:
https://sound.wmnf.org/sound/wmnf_220224_100600_surly1_460.MP3
Global News Scares as Russia invades Ukraine The dominant subject across the world has been Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Bombings and other attacks have killed over 100 civilians, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened other world powers against intervention. Yet, from the citizens more concerned about the tensions raising gas prices to the global leaders inflating their ego via war, it becomes apparent that morals have fallen by the wayside. Liz said that we have lost our “moral rudders” that steer us in the right direction.
Silenced Discussions of Oppression The 10th anniversary of the death of Trayvon Martin brings forth the discussion of the Black Lives Matter movement, and how Florida’s current ‘anti-woke legislation’ is an active retaliation against not only the movement but also the African American community as a whole. Donna recalled learning “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth” about other dark and cruel acts against marginalized groups, even as a young child in school.
However, the one thing never actively discussed, and the center of the fight against education is the plight of the African American community. Slavery, oppression, and continued oppression from other marginalized groups have largely gone without discussion. With new Florida legislation attempting to further restrict education on America’s true history, the topic is at risk of being erased entirely.
“They hate the idea of making things equitable because they see it as taking something away from them,” Liz said, theorizing why legislation continues to whitewash history education.
“If you keep not teaching the real history of the United States, then people who are taught the white version of history in school grow up to be adults who say… get over it.”
The post Surly Voices: Global scares and silenced discussions appeared first on WMNF.
Dangerous amendments to Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill is the latest trend among the ‘censorship and surveillance’ legislation that’s been passing through the Florida government this session. Nadine Smith of Equality Florida and Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani joined MidPoint host Shelley Reback to discuss what this legislation means for the state.
Listen to the full episode here:
https://sound.wmnf.org/sound/wmnf_220223_100600_12newsW1_423.MP3
An amendment to HB 1557, or the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, was proposed by Joe Harding, the representative who started the bill. It required that school personnel “develop a plan, using all available governmental resources, to disclose such information within (six) weeks after the decision to withhold such information from the parent”. Effectively, the amendment would require school staff to out LGBTQ+ children to parents, even after the student expresses the wish to withhold that information for fear that abuse, abandonment or neglect would result. After facing significant Statewide and National backlash, Rep. Harding withdrew the amendment.
Smith says that the slew of legislation is meant to “secure the loyalty” of the Republican base, especially as Governor Ron DeSantis looks for a presidential bid in the 2024 election. However, these efforts to gain that support are coming at the expense of already marginalized groups.
Parents, teachers and students have already coalesced to speak out against the legislation, although corporations and businesses that pride themselves on inclusivity have been relatively silent.
“Are you going to stand on these values you’re espousing or are you going to cower?” Smith said.
Rep. Anna Eskamani spoke on the House floor Tuesday, questioning and opposing the new legislation. Her recommendation to WMNF listeners was to not only stay politically active and vote, but to also help others stay politically active.
“I really encourage folks to not just see it as your own personal civic duty, but we need you to help build collective efficacy with us,” she told WMNF.
Nadine Smith ended by urging folks to work against these oppressive bills and “keep hope alive.”
For more information on Equality Florida’s actions against this legislation, visit freetosaygay.org/
The post MidPoint: ‘Don’t Say Gay’ and other oppressive legislation appeared first on WMNF.
Florida voters overwhelmingly support increasing pay for Florida’s public school teachers. That’s according to new polling data collected by Clearview Research and commissioned by the Florida Education Association – the state’s largest teacher union.
Today, Florida’s public education spending per pupil and average teacher salary rank near dead-last nationally. It’s one of just a few states with an average pay of less than $50,000. This latest poll, representing opinions from both parents and non-parents, shows that Floridians overwhelmingly support changing that. Out of 750 Floridians surveyed earlier this month, 92% said they agree Florida should pay its teachers more, “so that Florida can have stronger and better schools.”
According to the FEA, the poll shows a 20-point jump in strong support for higher teacher pay, compared to similar polling data from the same time last year. That’s even as voters’ faith in Florida’s public education saw a 26-point drop, with the largest shift coming from GOP women.
Local support for higher teacher pay The Florida Education Association, and its local chapters, say that increasing teacher pay is essential for ensuring a strong public education system. Last week, Rob Kriete of the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association (HCTA) told WMNF it’s “criminal” that the state continues to underfund public education. Especially as Republican leaders, including Governor Ron DeSantis, boast of Florida’s booming economy. “Our schools are always the canary in the coal mine, I would say, for the socioeconomic health of our neighborhoods,” said Kriete. “And they’re letting them die on the vine because they’re not doing what they actually need to do – which is fund highly effective and strong public schools.”
Paula Stephens, who’s a member of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association (PCTA), teaches first graders at Eisenhower Elementary School in Clearwater. She’s taught for 24 years, and has a daughter who’s also now working as a teacher. As Florida’s public schools face ongoing staffing shortages, Stephens told WMNF she believes that teacher pay, and stringent rules and regulations from Tallahassee, are partially to blame.
“Beginning teacher salary isn’t enough for someone to live on their own now,” she said. “With all the challenges and all the restrictions that Tallahassee has put on salaries, and that salaries have to be paid a certain way, it has basically crunched up the salary schedules” for new and veteran teachers like herself.
According to the FEA, Florida has more than 4,000 teacher vacancies and 5,000 support staff vacancies statewide. Teachers say that exhaustion, lack of respect on the job, and a widening wage gap between teachers and comparably educated professionals are contributing to this ongoing issue.
Living on a teacher’s salary in Tampa Bay While teachers grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of living in Tampa Bay has risen faster than teacher salaries. Average rent where Stephens, the Pinellas County school teacher, is can cost between $1,800 to $2,400 for a one-bedroom. “That’s more than a paycheck for a lot of people,” she said.
Research shows a large percentage of local renters are cost-burdened. Nearly half of St. Petersburg renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. Within schools, teachers work to make the most with the resources they have. But without the material support from Tallahassee – or their cash-strapped local school districts – to match, it’s been tough for schools to attract and retain educators.
“Dealing with all the fallout from COVID, I think a lot of teachers are just like, I’m done,” said Stephens.
Florida voters on culture war topics in education The new poll also surveyed Floridians on hot button topics currently dominating the GOP culture war in the state legislature. How America’s racial history is taught in schools. What place issues of gender identity and sexual orientation have in classroom discussions.
On those topics, Florida voters were mixed. Over 9 in 10 agreed that children need to be taught “both the good and bad of history,” even if it makes students uncomfortable. Sixty percent felt controversial subjects regarding race should be taught. But there was less support for open discussion of gender and sexual orientation. About 54% of respondents said such issues “should not be taught at all.”
‘Don’t Say Gay’ and ‘Stop WOKE’
Florida lawmakers have hotly debated these subjects in recent weeks. A bill that opponents have dubbed the, “Don’t Say Gay” bill, would censor talk of gender and sexuality in the classroom. Another bill entitled, “Individual Freedom,” targets the teaching of critical race theory, which is not taught in Florida’s K-12 classrooms. The bill closely resembles a “Stop W.O.K.E. Act” proposal from Governor DeSantis. Bill opponents say it would restrict teachers’ ability to accurately teach about race, discrimination, and other sensitive subjects.
“This bill cripples the ability of teachers to teach effectively,” said State Representative Dianne Hart (D-Tampa) of the bill, during a House committee hearing last month. “Every teacher I’ve ever encountered does their job, from not only an academic standpoint, but from a personal one. It is their personal experiences that they use to make the curriculum come alive for their students. Even more so for Black and brown teachers on the topic of race and discrimination, at a time where there’s already a teacher shortage.”
Both proposals are sponsored by Republicans, who hold a majority in both Florida’s House and Senate. According to the latest FEA survey, 70% of Floridians think legislators are overreaching on these hot button topics. But still, they persist.
Funding for Florida’s public education system The Florida legislature is currently working out the state budget, which includes funding allocated for public education. The House has proposed a $105 million state budget. Included in that is a controversial amendment that would gut $200 million from local school districts that enforced mask mandates during COVID-19. That includes Sarasota County and Hillsborough, an already-underfunded district that ranks as one of the largest in the nation. The Florida Senate, on the other hand, is not pursuing these cuts. A proposal has been brought forth by the Senate, however, to raise support staff pay to a minimum $15 per hour – which the state teachers union supports.
Fifty-four years ago, Florida teachers led the nation’s first statewide teachers’ strike, due in part to an underfunding of the state’s education system. While Florida teachers are now barred from striking under state law, their demand for fair pay, for material investment in the quality education of students, remains the same decades later.
“My utopia is a world where we actually pay for appropriate and free education,” said Pinellas teacher, Paula Stephens.
The post Florida voters support raising teacher pay, teachers union poll shows appeared first on WMNF.
Over 100 students and members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community rallied at the University of South Florida last week for support for the school’s Interpreter Training Program.
Listen to the story here (and find the full transcript at the end of the story):
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ASL-Audio-story_FINAL.mp3 Rumours and quiet announcements from the USF College of Communication Sciences and Disorders laid out 5 points and a recommendation to alter or remove the Interpreter Training Program. In response, a petition was spread and garnered nearly 15,000 signatures.
Last Thursday, a rally was held outside the Marshall Student Center at USF’s Tampa Campus, where members of the community spoke directly to Dean Julie Serovich of the College of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
“We are not closing,” Serovich said. “We may alter it, we may make changes. There is no termination at all. Even if there is, there’s still a discussion.”
However, even an alteration could have significant impacts on the community. If USF phases out the program and stops enrolling new students, then eventually the number of graduates going into the interpreting field will dwindle. Demand will overrun supply, causing significant damage and exclusion to an already marginalized community.
Kelvin Joel, a Deaf man and co-organizer of the protest, led the dialogue with the Dean.
“I need interpreters for me, for my doctor’s appointments, and where am I going to get them if the program is closed?”
While no official decisions have been made by the college, continued support for the program has made it clear that the want by students is there, and the need for interpreters in the community will always be there.
Audio Story Transcript
[Young woman shouts over crowd] “INCLUDE DEAF PEOPLE IN THE CONVERSATION”
Over 100 students and members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community gathered to have a conversation with USF staff. Julie Serovich, the Dean of the College of Communication Sciences and Disorders, said that the program is not closing, though it may be altered. But protesters say even that could have a significant impact on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community.
[Woman speaking, interpreting audibly] “I need interpreters for me, for my doctor’s appointments, and where am I going to get them if this program is closed?”
Those were the words of Kelvin Joel, a Deaf man and one of the organizers of the protest. He signed his concerns to Dean Serovich. Spoken translation was provided by ASL Interpreters; many of them alumni of USF’s Program.
No official decisions have been made about the Interpreter Training Program. But the community has made it clear: the want is there, and the need will always be present.
For WMNF News, I’m Rayna Kanas in Tampa.
The post Students, Deaf and Hard of Hearing community lead USF protest appeared first on WMNF.
With students and teachers already months into the school year, the Hillsborough County school district reached a tentative agreement with the local teacher’s union Monday, approving non-recurring salary increases for all Hillsborough County teachers.
The district reached this agreement with the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association (HCTA), a labor union that represents about 14,000 instructional personnel in Hillsborough County, including pre-K and K-12 educators.
Under the tentative one-year agreement, teachers would receive a one-time, non-recurring salary increase, ranging from $799 to $2,200, based on their step level – which is equivalent to their years in service. Teacher salaries in Hillsborough County range from $46,000 to $64,000, according to HCTA union president, Rob Kriete, who spoke to WMNF Wednesday about the district’s deal.
Listen to the story here: Fighting for local teachers Hillsborough County teachers have been working without a contract since July. That’s largely due to disagreement with the district – which is already operating at a deficit – over pay raises for teachers.
On Monday, the union encouraged teachers to “work to the contract.” While maintaining student education as a priority, this means teachers would complete their contractual obligations. But, that’s it. They’d refuse to work outside of work hours – including before- or after-school events – until a fair deal with the district had been reached. According to Kriete, this is one of several actions teachers have taken to increase their leverage with the district during negotiations. Under state law, Florida teachers and other public employees are barred from striking – one of the most powerful tools unions have at their disposal to demonstrate members’ power.
“The district is just exploiting our exhaustion by not allowing us to come to an agreement on our contract,” middle school teacher Danielle Weigand told Fox 13 outside of a walk-in at Shields Middle School earlier this week, prior to reaching the tentative deal. “We work extra hours at home, grading papers on the weekends, stay late, we come early and to not be allowed to have any sort of incentive for that is kind of a slap in the face.”
Kriete told WMNF that the delay on Monday’s tentative deal with the school district wasn’t ideal. Although there’s relief to have reached an agreement, it doesn’t contain all that the union and its members had been fighting for.
What the agreement does and does not have For starters, Kriete told WMNF the agreement doesn’t contain a cost of living adjustment – something he says the union had initially proposed and fought for. “On top of working under the most difficult conditions ever, they’re [teachers] not seeing any increase to help, you know, put food on the table and do the things that they need to do, as you know, family members. So, it absolutely falls short. These employees deserve a healthy raise. And that would also help recruit and retain some of our greatest employees,” said Kriete.
Another point of contention is the funding source for the salary increases. The district plans to reassign federal grant money, from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund, to cover one-time pay raises for instructional personnel, including teachers, school psychologists, counselors, and social workers. Due to how the grant works, the expense cannot be recurring. That is, stable or reliable. This has been a source of frustration for the union – which maintains that teachers deserve better. Something more long-term.
But it’s a lack of proper funding from the Florida legislature that remains a major root of the problem. Florida has one of the lowest average teacher salaries in the nation, and ranks near dead last in public education funding.
“We’re not given enough money to run one of the largest school districts in the country,” said Kriete. As of this week, the state legislature is considering further cuts to Hillsborough County’s school district, and eleven others, over the district’s decision to mandate masks for students during the COVID-19 pandemic. An estimated $200 million could be cut from the 12 districts, if the “Putting Parents First Adjustment,” proposed by Rep. Randy Fine (R-Brevard County) within the House budget proposal is approved. Governor Ron DeSantis, who was first critical of the idea, has reportedly reversed course, tweeting out his support for the proposal Tuesday.
‘Burnt out’: teachers pressured to do more with less The COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of material support has had an impact on teachers, as well as students. Hillsborough County, like other school districts across the country, has struggled with a staffing shortage. Teachers have also seen a learning loss among students, due to changes in instruction – for instance, a shift to virtual learning – that were necessary to protect student, teacher, and public safety.
Local teachers are burnt out. Exhausted, underpaid, and consistently – even before the pandemic – asked to do more with less. According to the Economic Policy Institute, teachers nationwide earn 19.2% less on average than workers doing similar work.
“Teachers are working their butts off in the district every single day,” Kriete said, adding, “The work that they’re doing, they’re losing their conference periods every day. They’re planning periods in which to prepare lessons and grade papers. So it’s become a much more difficult job in the past couple of years.”
A deal has been reached: now what? Now that a deal with the district has been reached, it will need to go to the union’s membership for their approval. Kriete says, although the agreement isn’t all that they asked for, its ratification is likely, due to how long negotiations have dragged on. But he knows that the fight for a better agreement for the union’s 14,000 members isn’t over.
He told WMNF, “I have promised members that as soon as the governor signs his budget for this year, we’re going to get right back to the table. So that way we’re not in this position next year.”
If ratified by the union’s bargaining unit, the agreement will go to the school board for a vote on whether to enact it. If that occurs, the financial contributions – that is, the bump in teacher pay – will go into effect within a couple weeks. According to Kriete, that’s likely to happen mid-April.
As for a long-term solution, the union plans to continue fighting for additional funding locally and on a state level for Florida’s public education system. “The legislature just needs to fund our public schools appropriately. I mean, like I said, 47th in the nation [in public education funding] in a state that has a booming economy is quite frankly, criminal.”
The post Hillsborough County teachers union reaches tentative deal with the district, says it’s time to fully fund education appeared first on WMNF.
Hillsborough County teachers are bargaining for a new contract. Some teachers are trying to get leverage with a form of work slowdown.
The Protest Teachers still are receiving the same pay rate as last year. Since Florida forbids teachers from going on strike, some teachers are using a tactic known as “work to contract.” That means the union is encouraging teachers not to work after-school events, meetings, or tutoring during lunches if it’s not paid or part of the union contract.
The school district’s response The district has suggested giving teachers a lump sum that they would receive with another year of service. The Tampa Bay Times reports, some teachers might make less money next year than this year.
Listen here:
The post Hillsborough County teachers in contract negotiations appeared first on WMNF.
The banning of books and the prohibition against teaching real, accurate history used to be the plot of dystopian novels and Nazi policy in Germany in 1933, but now it’s part of our reality. WMNF MidPoint host Shelley Reback spoke with award-winning author Lois Lowry, author of The Giver and other books for middle readers, and Colette Bancroft, book editor of the Tampa Bay Times, on Feb. 9 about this increasing threat in our communities.
Listen to the full episode here:
https://sound.wmnf.org/sound/wmnf_220209_100600_12newsW1_423.MP3
As new ‘anti-woke’ legislation continues to pass through the Florida legislature, Polk County decided to skip the wait and take matters into their own hands. In Polk County, 16 books have already been pulled from school shelves after a bible-based group lobbied for their removal on the grounds that they allegedly violated Florida obscenity laws by containing explicit sexual material distributed to children. The books, which include award-winners like “Beloved” and “The Kite Runner,” largely center around racism or LGBTQ+ issues. The new “Stop Woke” legislation pending now in Tallahassee and supported by Governor DeSantis, would not only require they be removed for making adolescents ‘uncomfortable,’but would also give parents the right to sue the school system and teachers for making them available.
Reback questioned Lowry about writing books for young people about difficult subjects that may make them uncomfortable. “That’s the purpose of many of the books kids read today,” Lowry told WMNF. “Growing up is a lonely existence… The thing that alleviates that loneliness is the companionship of a book.”
Since its publication in 1993, Lowry’s Newbery-Award-winning novel The Giver has- ironically- been both widely assigned in middle schools and is often the subject of censorship. The novel takes place in a dystopian society that celebrates ‘Sameness’ and which has censored all sources of negativity: history, memories, color and even human emotion have all been suppressed. The plot centers around the quest of the only two citizens who retain memories of the past to return their society to one that accepts the full reality of existence: it’s not always positive, but with knowledge and feelings it is richer and deeper and makes life worth living. Reback noted that many of these themes in The Giver are at issue in Florida in 2022 as the Legislature debates these new censorship and surveillance bills.
Bancroft noted that these calls for censorship are not new, though the recent influx of censorship legislation could be prompted by an increase in diversity among content producers. As more minority groups find their voice and speak up, the white-majority lens of history is shed, but the white Republican majority that controls our politics may feel threatened.
The reality of history and its effects on the current world is uncomfortable. Learning about it is undeniably difficult. But Reback, Lowry and Bancroft agreed on the philosophy proposed by George Santayana:
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
The post MidPoint: The Age of Censorship with Lois Lowry and Colette Bancroft appeared first on WMNF.
As Tampa Bay grows as a community, the standards to be met grow along with it. In order to keep up with the competition, the Tampa Bay Partnership helps conduct community research, inform new policies and work for improvements in the overall quality of life in the area. On Feb. 1, Tampa Bay Partnership’s CEO Bemetra Simmons spoke with WMNF hosts Janet and Tom Scherberger on WaveMakers.
Listen to the full episode here:
https://sound.wmnf.org/sound/wmnf_220201_110600_wvm1_461.MP3
Discussing the recent publication of their Regional Competitiveness Report, Simmons detailed data trends and what Tampa Bay needs to focus on in order to boost its standings.
“I think the data is important because it allows us to take an honest assessment of where we are and what we’re doing well,” Simmons told WMNF.
What the Tampa Bay area does well: Low crime rates, good air quality and a growing population with housing prices going up. However, there were areas where the region has fallen short: we ranked extremely low with public transportation and infrastructure, and have high poverty rates with consistently low incomes. With a growing population, it can be a double-edged sword. Growth, Simmons said, is good. But the community must keep up with the growth in order to thrive.
“I think that we just have to be mindful of that growth and how we bring it in and how we manage it.”
The Tampa Bay Partnership has narrowed its focus to three priority areas in helping the community. First is public transportation, supporting updated infrastructure and using data to encourage better development. Second is education attainment, which includes groups focusing on early education through the 12th grade and the workforce itself. Their efforts are to change policies regarding certificates of completion, as well as to boost the overall quality of education and hiring practices. Finally, the Partnership has started a research-propelled initiative called Project Opioid, which mobilizes the community to help reduce the number of opioid-related deaths in the region.
The post WaveMakers: Bemetra Simmons on keeping Tampa Bay competitive appeared first on WMNF.
The Florida Constitution provides that all children are guaranteed a quality public education, but the Florida legislature is undermining that guarantee with education policies that drive more children to private and charter schools for profit and drive teachers out of the profession. MidPoint host Shelley Reback called it a “death by a thousand cuts” to the system: cuts in funding, cuts in support. Most recently, legislation has attempted to cut curriculums as well.
Joined by Rob Kreite, president of the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association, and Nancy Velardi, president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, WMNF Midpoint discussed Florida’s “War on Teachers”, and what can be done to save the quality public education our constitution guarantees.
Listen to the full show here:
https://sound.wmnf.org/sound/wmnf_220126_100600_12newsW1_423.MP3
A new bill introduced in the Florida Senate aims to block the teaching of subjects that would cause “discomfort” to students, namely white students. Other laws have already been passed to block the teaching of Critical Race Theory, which Governor Ron DeSantis decries as a part of “cultural Marxism”.
However, as Kriete explained, the new bill felt like a part of ongoing “manufactured crises” in the public education system. Critical Race Theory has been banned in Florida Public Schools already, and the uncomfortable historical subjects being scrutinized are all part of approved curricula by the state. Furthermore, the subjects being taught aren’t just stories meant to make kids squirm; the uncomfortable subjects like slavery and the Holocaust (both of which were mentioned in the bill) are real and factual parts of history. They may be difficult and harrowing, but they are real.
“[Discomfort] is a part of the learning experience and the growing experience,” Velardi said.
In addition to the attacks on curricula, teachers have also found their wages the subject of cuts and reforms. Despite having one of the highest public school enrollments in the country, Florida’s teacher salaries are among the lowest in the country. Legislation that passed last year provided that new teachers would have higher salaries, leading them to eventually out-earn veteran teachers.
According to Velardi, veteran teachers would be earning 25% less than new teachers, and the exodus of veteran teachers has already begun.
“We love the fact that new teachers bring vitality and… interesting changes to the classroom,” Velardi said, “but we also must respect the experienced.”
The post MidPoint: Florida Legislature and the War on Teachers appeared first on WMNF.
Florida’s Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee advanced a bill Wednesday that state Democrats say is only fanning the flames of the state legislature’s partisan culture war.
The Republican-backed House Bill 7, titled “Individual Freedom,” could restrict Florida educators from teaching sensitive topics – such as race, discrimination, and historical events like the Holocaust – in a way that could be construed as taking a side, or straying from objectivity. That’s a value held near and dear to the heart of the bill’s Republican sponsor, Representative Bryan Avila of Miami Springs.
“No individual is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously, solely by virtue of his or her race, or sex,” Avila insisted. House Bill 7, he said, outlines principles “that formed our great nation.”
Against “woke” instruction in Florida classrooms The bill is the House version of “anti-woke” legislation brought forth by Governor Ron DeSantis last year. That proposal targets the teaching of critical race theory in Florida’s public K-12 schools – an issue that teachers and Democrats say doesn’t exist.
Rep. Avila’s bill seeks to prevent both students and workers from from being subject to workplace trainings or instruction that “compels” certain perspectives on topics of race, color, sex, or national origin. The bill, he argues, would protect the “individual freedom” of Floridians by prioritizing objectivity – and avoiding taking positions on issues of injustice.
Teachers object to the bill But not everyone’s buying it. Namely, Democratic lawmakers – who are concerned the bill constitutes censorship – and the many members of the public who spoke out against the bill Wednesday during public testimony.
The opposing group included a lobbyist with the Florida Education Association (FEA), the state’s largest union of teachers and education support personnel.
“This bill has already created anxiety and confusion with teachers on how to teach what is accurate but difficult history,” said Michael Monroe, with the FEA. “Teachers know how to facilitate a sensitive conversation,” he added, “But this measure creates a very narrow line about professional teaching and objective teaching. This measure will subject our professional educators to frivolous disciplinary charges which will require them to defend themselves and to protect their teaching certificates and their reputation.”
Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar shares these concerns. “I think we would worry about teachers being investigated, potentially disciplined for teaching what the curriculum demands we teach,” Spar told WMNF in a phone call Wednesday afternoon. He pointed out that teaching standards are already set by the state of Florida. Educators teach those standards based on the curriculum adopted by the school districts, often based on recommendations from the state of Florida.
Banning books in Florida’s public schools In addition to its call for “objective” education, House Bill 7 could also ban books and other learning materials that make students feel uncomfortable, or guilty about their racial, ethnic, or gender identity. Representative Dianne Hart, a Democrat from Tampa, characterized this as bringing dystopian fiction to life. “This bill essentially allows for banning of books and literature that simply looks to educate,” Hart said, adding that it “cripples” the ability of Florida’s public educators to teach effectively.
As it is, Florida is facing a massive teaching shortage. And Hart expressed concern that this bill could exacerbate the state’s shortage of teachers of color in classrooms. Andrew Spar, with the FEA, echoed this. “We need to be doing everything we can to support and lift up the teachers and staff who work in our schools and make sure that they stay.”
When lawmakers question whether teachers can be trusted to teach course materials that enrich childrens’ knowledge of history – not indoctrinate them, as the bill’s text suggests – Spar says, this harms teacher morale.
‘Whitewashing’ history But it’s not just teachers and Democratic lawmakers who have concerns about the controversial bill. Michidael Ceard with the Florida Student Power Network, said the bill would likely censor books – like Toni Morison’s Beloved – that were foundational to her motivation to pursue higher education in literature and become an advocate for Florida students. “This bill would stop people from learning about Black experiences and history. It whitewashes history, when we know people of color makeup little over 48% of people in this state,” said Dael, a Haitian immigrant and self-described product of Florida’s public school system. “As someone who works with young people now, listened to their experiences, and have fought in solidarity against attacks on their lives and identity – I beg all of you, implore all of you, to stop HB 7.”
A representative of the Florida Citizens Alliance – an education-focused nonprofit that has loudly advocated for banning books that reference sex, gay marriage, and LGBTQ relationships from public schools – was one of the only members of the public to voice support for the bill.
While opponents insist the bills would censor meaningful conversations in the classroom, House Republicans insisted on several occasions that it would not ban difficult topics of discussion – but added little clarification as to how the “objective” teaching standards would be enforced, how subjects like The Holocaust could be objectively taught, or how teachers should prepare to account for – as Hart described it – “regulating” the feelings of students made uncomfortable by classroom discussion.
Protecting Florida teachers Spar told WMNF the FEA is committed to using their resources to protect teachers, should they face disciplinary action or scrutiny for teaching hot-button topics and historical events from a place of truth.
“The Florida Education Association – along with both our national unions, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers – made an unwavering commitment to all teachers who teach in our schools, that when they teach the truth and the honest history of our country, we will be there to defend them if anyone tries to come after them for teaching the truth.”
HB 7 advances through the Judiciary Committee Despite heated debate, the GOP-dominated Judiciary Committee approved the measure Wednesday, along party lines, 14-7. It needs to clear two more committees before it can be considered by the full House. Its twin in the Senate, Senate Bill 148, passed its first committee vote last week.
The post Florida Republicans advance HB 7, which could silence some classroom topics appeared first on WMNF.
Faculty at the University of South Florida are calling on USF Interim President Rhea Law to publicly oppose a bill sponsored this legislative session by Sen. Joe Gruters, chairman of the Florida Republican Party.
Among other things, SB242/HB57 would prohibit state agencies from teaching such topics as unconscious bias in diversity training programs and require review of the programs by the Florida Commission on Human Relations.
In a letter sent last week to Law, USF Faculty Senate President Tim Boaz cited legislation passed last year that requires an annual survey of faculty viewpoints and recent efforts at the University of Florida to prohibit “faculty from providing expert testimony that was seen as counter to the interests of certain politicians in our state government.”
“All this has occurred in a cultural climate in our country in which threats to those who espouse these views are on the rise,” Boaz wrote.
The USF Faculty Senate approved a resolution Dec. 1 asking for the statement, Boaz told MidPoint hosts Janet Scherberger and Shelley Reback on Dec. 15.
They titled the resolution: “USF Faculty Senate Resolution to Support and Protect Faculty and Instructors with Expertise in Critical Race Theory, Blackness, Anti-Blackness, Anti-Racism, Race, Gender, Sexuality and Other Forms of Difference.”
The move comes in the wake of a report from a faculty committee at the University of Florida that researchers there were pressured to destroy or delayed from publishing Covid research that contradicted Florida Gov. DeSantis’s positions on the pandemic.
In the past, UF administration also barred faculty from testifying in lawsuits against the state regarding felon voting, voting rights in general and mask mandates. A federal judge is set to hear arguments next month in a lawsuit filed by UF faculty challenging the university’s actions.
Although University of Florida President Kent Fuchs has made some changes in response to the revelations, United Faculty of Florida President Andrew Gothard told MidPoint they aren’t enough.
“We need clear written guarantees of the right to free speech that will not be infringed by politicians or the board of trustees,” Gothard said. “We don’t think that UF is lost. We think they can get back to where they need to be and our goal is to make that happen.”
Gothard said getting there requires repealing a bill passed earlier this year mandating a viewpoint survey of university faculty. A bill has been introduced to reverse the mandate during the 2022 session that begins in January.
And, Gothard said, the Board of Trustees system statewide should be revamped.
“Unlike K-12 Board of Education members, who are elected, Board of Trustees members are appointed, and they are appointed by the governor. Not entirely, but most of them,” Gothard said. “So there’s no public accountability for these figures even though these colleges and universities are funded by public money.”
Gothard said the trustees system lies at the heart of the politicization of university leadership, and that’s dangerous to American institutions.
“There is no doubt that the first step of authoritarianism is always to silence the academics,” Gothard said. “But there’s also no doubt that the clearest and easiest way for authoritarianism to succeed is for the silent majority to stand by and do nothing. At UFF we’re not going to do that. We’re going to fight, we’re going to push back.”
Listen to the entire show (which also includes an interview with Ray Arsenault, president of the Pinellas County Chapter of the ACLU of Florida) below, here or by searching for WMNF MidPoint wherever you listen to podcasts.
https://sound.wmnf.org/sound/wmnf_211215_100600_12newsW1_423.MP3
The post Faculty want USF President Rhea Law to oppose state legislation sponsored by Florida GOP chair appeared first on WMNF.
Friday the Hillsborough County School Board met to narrow the six proposed redistricting plans down to three. Many parents in attendance voiced concerns about the process of redistricting.
Five community meetings were held to gather community input on the maps. Elizabeth Thomas, a parent asked board members why more of the board members weren’t present at those meetings.
Parents don’t feel HCSB is listening “If you’ve agreed to redistrict before the end of the year and you’re responsible for the process, accountable to constituents and truly committed to applying community input to your decisions,” Thomas said. “Then why weren’t you all at the Community Connections meetings to answer questions?”
Board Member Melissa Snively says those meetings were set without consulting board member’s calendars which may account for some absences. Josefina motto says it seems like decisions on the maps were made before the final community meeting and how much do you care about the Hispanic and black community when you already tiered your decisions on the maps on Friday and received them this morning.
Six plans narrowed to three Prior to the Middleton meeting, the Board moved to narrow down the maps that are labeled E F and C. Board Member Snively who attended remotely was the lone dissenting vote against bringing the three maps to vote this week. She says she feels like the process which has taken 45 days is being rushed and the board needs to take more time to listen to parents.
“It is obvious that the community does not feel like they have been engaged in this process,” Snively said. “The process feels rushed. That process is flawed.”
A final vote is set for Thursday, where the new school board electoral district boundaries are going to be decided by December 31. The school board will approve adjustments and boundaries will be effective when students return to school after winter break.
The post Hillsborough School Board narrows redistricting plans appeared first on WMNF.
More coronavirus resources
The Florida Board of Education will meet next week.
The Tallahassee Democrat reports that it will determine whether 11 school districts, including Hillsborough and Sarasota, have complied with rules forbidding student mask mandates.
Governor Ron DeSantis wants school districts to allow parents to decide whether their kids wear masks.
But as a protection against the spread of COVID-19 the eleven districts mandated masks in most cases.
The State Board of Education will meet next Thursday to check compliance.
The post In Oct. 7 meeting, state Board of Education will scrutinize districts with mask mandates appeared first on WMNF.
This week, the University of South Florida launched an electronic survey that the school hopes will reveal specific qualities that the community is seeking in USF’s next president.
According to a press release from the university, the survey will be available for USF students, alumni, staff, faculty and others who support the university. Since the university has such a profound impact on the surrounding Tampa Bay area, business leaders and community partners within the area will be encouraged to fill out the survey as well.
USF plans on sharing updates and posting information about public meetings that will take place in the future on the presidential search website.
The survey deadline is Sept. 30. You can find it here.
The post USF starts survey to help get input on its next president appeared first on WMNF.
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources
Leon County Judge John Cooper again Wednesday used Governor Ron DeSantis’s own arguments to rule against him on mask mandates. Cooper set aside a stay to his original ruling, meaning the State can no longer punish school districts for implementing mask mandates.
LISTEN: In the initial judgment, Cooper ruled in favor of the defense on the health and safety aspects of the case. But it wasn’t for the reason defense counsel Michael Abel seemed to think.
“If we’re talking about safety and we’re talking about health, this court found for the defendants,” Abel said.
Cooper jumped right in:
“I didn’t say I agreed with you. Ever. In fact, I said the overwhelming weight of the evidence favored the plaintiff on that issue. But not overwhelming enough to pass the standard that I think the First District Court of Appeal has, which I must abide by.”
Abel made the argument that assessing the motion based on the idea that masking students could save lives was irresponsible.
Cooper told him he was wrong.
“The evidence in the case was clear,” he said. “Demonstrating that the CDC recommendations of universal masking of students, teachers and staff represents the overwhelming consensus of medical doctors and medical organizations.”
But because some doctors might disagree with the CDC, Cooper said the District Court of Appeal, or DCA, could’ve potentially ruled against him on that count.
Parents’ Bill of Rights But he remained confident in his initial findings. Cooper said the State’s defense placed most of its focus on the newly signed Parents’ Bill of Rights. DeSantis signed the Bill of Rights into law in July after Republican legislators championed it during the last legislative session.
DeSantis, and subsequently his lawyers, argued that under the Bill of Rights, parents have the ultimate say in medical decisions for a child. They argued the Bill of Rights made mandating masks for health reasons illegal. But Cooper said the State was trying to pick and choose aspects of the Bill of Rights that played in its favor while ignoring parts that didn’t. Cooper said DeSantis violated a bill he signed into law less than a month after doing so.
“This isn’t whether I agree with masking or not,” he said. “The issue is, have I decided the Governor must comply with the laws passed by the Florida Legislature. I say everybody has to do that.”
According to the Bill of Rights, school districts can create health policies if they are rational, meet a compelling need and are narrowly tailored. It gives parents a right to object, but the districts also have the right to defend their policies without prior restraint.
“The bottom line is this case is about enforcing the law as the legislature passed,” Cooper said. “That and the pandemic situation we are in is why I think setting aside this stay is appropriate.”
Cooper said the stay is in effect immediately, which means the Department of Education can no longer withhold salaries or otherwise penalize school districts that implement mask mandates.
The DCA, however, will have the final say.
The post Florida judge again uses DeSantis’s own case against him, says State cannot punish districts over mask mandates appeared first on WMNF.
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources
Parents with opposing views on mask mandates clashed at a Pasco County School Board meeting today. Pro-mask parents honked horns and rallied in cars, prompting faculty to turn up the volume inside.
LISTEN: Nearly 20 cars circled the parking lot just off Land O’Lakes Boulevard. School board meetings aren’t generally known for excitement, but the question of whether or not to mask children has brought the fight out.
Outside, two SUVs driven by anti-mask parents blocked the circling vehicles. One man got out and confronted a woman whose vehicle was adorned with a sign reading “Follow the science, not DeSantis.”
She said she was following science and the masking recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He said he was using common sense, eventually walking away and calling her a “brainwashed communist.”
Pro-mask parents have been pushing for mandates with renewed fervor. A Leon County judge last month ruled that Gov. Ron DeSantis’s executive order threatening to penalize school districts for implementing mask mandates without a simple parental opt-out was an unconstitutional abuse of power. But the Governor appealed the ruling which has prevented it from taking effect. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday that could result in the judge’s ruling going into effect.
Pasco has had more than 3,000 student COVID-19 cases this year and no plans to move from its masks-optional stance. But parents like Kimberley Cox want that changed.
“I care enough about your children to do anything for them,” Cox said. “I’m literally asking you to put a mask on your face and have the teachers and the students and the bus drivers and all the staff put a mask on theirs.”
Another parent, Alicia Zilay, gave board members a petition asking for a mask mandate. She said she’s collected about 2,000 signatures so far.
More than a dozen districts around the state have so far defied DeSantis’s order, including the state’s largest districts. The mandates come as the more transmissible delta variant of COVID-19 – along with lax regulations in Florida – have brought the pandemic to new heights.
Inside the meeting, the mood was just as tense. The meeting was briefly paused when one parent, Joseph King, accused another of pushing past him and spoke out of turn during the meeting, cursing at board members until he was removed. He was later allowed to speak and return, despite telling law enforcement officers he would “handle it” himself if anything happened again.
More confrontation spilled over after the meeting, causing law enforcement to ask some parents to leave or face arrest, but all dispersed without incident.
According to the Pasco School board calendar, the next meeting will be held at 6:30 on Sept. 14.
The post Parents clash on mask mandates at Pasco County School Board meeting appeared first on WMNF.