Florida Education Budget Increases After School Shooting
March 9, 2018
School funding next academic year will be shaped by the Florida Legislature’s reaction to the mass shooting of students and staff at a Broward County high school.
A new $88.7 billion state budget, which was released Thursday and is expected to be approved Sunday, includes a $21.1 billion spending plan for the 67 school districts. It would boost per-student funding by $101.50 during 2018-2019 to $7,408 and represents a $485 million increase in state funding and local property taxes.
A significant increase in school spending is tied to the Feb. 14 tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
The annual school funding formula would include a new category for mental-health funding with $69 million. It would increase the “safe schools” program, which helps pay for school resource officers, to $162 million, a $97.5 million increase.
Outside the funding formula, the school districts also could apply for grants to improve the security of their campuses in a $98.9 million program.
But lawmakers pared Gov. Rick Scott’s request for an $18 million increase in funding for classroom supplies for teachers. Lawmakers backed an $8.8 million increase, which should boost the annual payments by about $50 to $300.
Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, who helped develop a $400 million school-safety initiative, said the response to the Parkland tragedy became the “most important” issue facing the Legislature.
“It put everything else we were working on, on a back burner,” he said. “I feel like we’ve done our best.”
He said one of the challenges was that the incident occurred midway during the annual legislative session, forcing lawmakers to quickly develop a response without the normal lead time and preparation.
“It certainly has impacted the budget. A lot of projects have fallen out. And money had to be reprioritized. It’s not often that you go into session and have to make a $400 million adjustment midstream,” Galvano said.
In other areas of the budget, charter schools would receive more than $145 million for renovation and maintenance work in the budget. Public schools would receive $50 million.
Jackson County would receive more than $19 million in second-year funding for a three-year project to build a new kindergarten-through-eighth grade school. Taylor County would receive $6.2 million for a primary school project and Liberty County would receive $6 million for a high school project.
Legislative leaders announced Thursday afternoon the new budget been printed and would be available Sunday for a vote after a 72-hour “cooling off” period. The spending plan then will go to Scott, who has line-item veto power.
The final negotiations on the budget also resulted in more funding for several higher-education initiatives.
Lawmakers agreed to increase funding for schools that qualify as “pre-eminent” universities by $20 million, which should benefit the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of South Florida, if USF obtains that status in the coming year.
The budget would increase performance funding for the universities to $265 million in the next academic year, a $20 million increase.
The program that allows universities to recruit “world class” professors and researchers was increased by $20 million, and a program that rewards high-performing medical, law and other professional schools was increased by $10 million.
Florida Gulf Coast University, which did not qualify for state performance funding this year, would receive $13.7 million in additional money in the new budget.
The University of North Florida would receive more than $4 million, and Florida International University would receive $4.7 million in additional funding.
The state college system would\receive $6.75 million as a partial restoration of a $30 million cut in the current year’s budget.
St. Johns River State College would receive $3 million in additional funding. Daytona State College would receive $1 million for a writing program that provides free tutoring services for students.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Tate’s Logan Hamlin Commits To William Carey University
March 9, 2018
Tate High School’s Logan Hamlin committed Thursday to play volleyball for William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Saturday Is Opening Day At The Molino Ballpark
March 9, 2018
Saturday is Opening Day at the Molino Ballpark.
Opening ceremonies will be at 9 a.m., with game to follow and continuing most of the day.
In additional to the games, there will be be team booths with food, bounce houses, kettle corn and much more for day of family fun. And the concession stand will be open.
Are You The Ultimate Gamer? Find Out Saturday In Flomaton
March 9, 2018
The Flomaton Lions Club is hosting their first Ultimate Gamer Competition Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. inside a custom gaming trailer at the Flomaton Community Center.
The entry fee is $20 per person; players can register as an individual or as a team.
The three games to be played in order are Street Fighter 5, Call of Duty Black Ops 3 and Mario Kart 8. There will be concessions for sale at the event and a cash prize. All ages and gaming abilities welcome.
The Flomaton Community Center is located at 600 McCurdy St., in Flomaton. For more information call (251) 296-3491.
Pictured: The custom Ultimate Gamer Competition trailer. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Joe Evans O’Barr, Jr.
March 9, 2018
Mr. Joe Evans O’Barr, Jr., age 64, passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at his home in Poarch, Alabama.
Mr. O’Barr was a native of Little Rock, AR, former resident of Mobile, AL and has resided in Poarch, AL for the past 29 years. He was a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians; past Vestry Member of St. Anna’s, was on the PCI Gaming Board and was a member of the St Anna’s Episcopal Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe, Sr. and Bessie O’Barr, one bro, Michael Anthony O’Barr and one sister, Beverly O’Barr.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Ellen O’Barr of Poarch, AL; three sons, Charles Anthony (Sylina) O’Barr of Perdido, AL, Jonathan Evans (Stacie) O’Barr of Poarch, AL and Andrew (Elizabeth) Daughtry of Atmore, AL; three daughters, Christy O’Barr (Ronnie) Huskey of Atmore, AL, Shannon (Jason) Griffey of Poarch, AL and Kimberly O’Barr (Nick) Hill of Poarch, AL; two sisters, Brenda (Ricky) Faircloth of Poarch, AL and Teresa “Shada” (Jamie) Thomas of Poarch, AL; nineteen grandchildren; three great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Father Michael Hill officiating.
Burial will follow at the Judson Creek Indian Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, March 9, 2018 from 6 to 9 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Larry Faircloth, Jerry Faircloth, Scott Griffey, Mikey Griffey, Jake Thomas, Kendall Reed, Chris Lee and Chad Parker.
Honorary Pallbearer will be A.D. Owens, Bobby McGhee, Mike Parker, Joe Lowe, David Morris, Aubrey Smith and David Kirby.
Beatrice Cook
March 9, 2018
Beatrice Cook, 84, of Walnut Hill, FL, passed away peacefully on Sunday March 4, 2018, surrounded by her family.
Beatrice was born July 5, 1933 in Brewton Al. as one of 10 children to the late Gussie and Martha Catherine Fuqua. She enjoyed reminiscing about her time growing up in Brewton and attending W.S. Neal as well as her time spent at Mount Berry School in Georgia. She wrote her memoirs about those times in a book that her family will cherish. She met her husband Cecil E. Cook and they spent 50 years together. She held different occupations over her lifetime but her most cherished job was being a mother to her five sons. She was a member of the Church of Christ, Atmore Al.
She is preceded in death by her husband Cecil Cook, her siblings, and one grandson Allan Cook.
She is survived by son David Cook of Navarre FL; son Tony Cook of Auburn AL.; son Tim Cook (Vicki) of Bratt FL., son Richard Cook (Rebecca) of Oak Grove and son Robin Cook of Garcon Point FL.
Beatrice had 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren who were also her pride and joy.
Services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday March 10, 2018, with Norman Newberry officiating. Visitation will begin prior to services at 10:00 AM. Pallbearers will be her sons, grandsons and family friend Doyle King.
Interment will be at Green Acres Cemetery, McCall AL.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to any children’s charitable organization of your choice.
Driver Suffers Minor Injuries When He Crashes Truck Into Ditch
March 8, 2018
Charges are pending against a driver after he crashed his big rig into a ditch early Thursday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 44-year old Jeff Parker of Pensacola was traveling south on Old Palafox just north of 9 1/2 Mile Road. He as unable to maintain control of the vehicle and traveled off the roadway into a ditch, troopers said.
The truck came to rest in a ditch on the east shoulder of Old Palafox, laying on its driver’s side.
Parker received minor injuries and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital.
Possible 9-1-1 Verizon Service Outage In Escambia County; Santa Rosa Landline Outage
March 8, 2018
Verizon service to Escambia County 9-1-1 has been restored. Customers can again use their mobile device to call 9-1-1 for emergency services. Service was interrupted earlier today due to a networking issue between Verizon and AT&T.
Pictured: An Escambia County 911 dispatcher. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Apartment Developer Threatens Legal Action Against Century Over $100K In Water, Sewer Fees
March 8, 2018
The developers of a new 50-unit apartment complex in Century have paid the Town of Century to connect water and sewer service, but they are threatening legal action of the town does not refund over $100,000.
The Paces Foundation, Inc. submitted a $165,180 check to the town for waster and wastewater fees along with a protest letter from attorney William J. Dunaway of the Clark Partington law firm in Pensacola. The letter informed the town that the payment was made in full, but the amount remains in dispute.
“This payment is made under protest. My client reserves the right to challenge the amount of assessed connection fees, and will pursue all available judicial and administrative remedies to that end,” the attorney’s letter states.
“We received it (the attorney’s letter) under protest,” Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said.
“Nevertheless, because Century Park Apartments must have water and sewer before issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the enclosed check for $165,180.00 is tendered as full payment under protest of the disputed amount of water and sewer connection fees. My client respectfully renews its request that the Town refund the balance of $101,430.00 for the overpayment resulting from the increased fee assessment. My client is hopeful that this issue can be resolved without litigation, but they are prepared to pursue legal action in the event a voluntary refund is not forthcoming,” Dunaway wrote.
Paces contends they agreed to pay fees of $63,750. The amount, they say, was decided upon during a 2015 meeting with then-Mayor Freddie McCall and Town Planner Nickles. The only written agreement to come out of that meeting was a handwritten page showing calculations that Paces said were based upon the 2015 rates as published online in the town’s municipal code. The handwritten document also included a proposed fee for natural gas; however, the developer later opted to go all-electric.
The apartments will have a single large water meter and a single large sewage connection. It will not have 50 individual taps into the city services.
“It was agreed to by me, as a representative of the Paces Foundation, and the mayor at the point in time and your town planner. So from that, we had an agreement,” Development Manager Rick Haymond of Paces told the town council in December.
“So at the time we went by the documentation that was written under the ordinances and your resolutions for the fees,” Nickles told the council. Haymond said he never had a written contract regarding tap fees with a municipality in his 17 years, and had often used published rates available online.
McCall and Nickles (pictured left) do not deny the meeting, nor do they deny the agreement or the approximate $63,000 tap fee. “The town made a commitment to them. To me, they should do the right thing and honor that commitment,” Nickles said.
“I don’t know what else we could have done than to go to the highest officials in the city,” Haymond told the council, pointing out that the tap fee is the only disputed amount; he said Paces will be subject to all other current water and sewer rates.
Paces previously tendered a $63,750 payment on December 12, but the town rejected the payment and returned the check on December 18.
According to the Escambia County Building Services Department, Century Park Apartments has not yet been granted a certificate of occupancy as the building and inspections process continues.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Update: Safety Improvements At Barrineau Park & Highway 29 Part Of Federal Project
March 8, 2018
We now know that the roadway safety improvements made on Barrineau Park Road at Highway 29 were not in response to a fatal collision at the intersection just days prior.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 56-year old Franklin Webb was traveling east on Barrineau Road when he failed to properly yield his Toyota Tundra at a stop sign at the intersection of Highway 29 on the afternoon on February 25. His vehicle was hit by a southbound pickup truck. Webb was pronounced deceased at the scene. [Read more...]
Two days later, someone repainted rumble strips and other pavement markings on Barrineau Park road approaching Highway 29 from both the east and west. At that time, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Transportation said it was not FDOT or their contractors, and Escambia County said they did not do the work on the county road either.
This week, the FDOT spokesperson said FDOT had determined the improvements on Barrineau Park Road at Highway 29 were done as part of an ongoing Federal Highway Administration safety project.
A total of 65 “un-signalized intersections in Escambia County were identified to receive safety upgrades which include refurbish signage and thermo (thermoplastic striping) at the approach to state roads,” according to Tanya Branton, FDOT public information specialist. “New signs have been installed and concrete work and ramps for ADA compliance have been constructed at identified selected locations. All that remains is placement of thermo at 60 remaining intersections.”
In addition to Barrineau Park Road at Highway 29, additional intersections in North Escambia that are part of the project include Woodland Street at Highway 29 in Cantonment and Highway 95A at Highway 29 in Molino.
Work is expected to be complete on the entire project by May.
For an earlier story, click here.
