Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Approves $500 Million For Teacher Pay Raises
June 25, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed legislation to give Florida teachers a raise.
Approximately 100,000 teachers will benefit from $400 million to be invested to raise the minimum base pay for full-time classroom teachers, and $100 million will raise the salaries of Florida’s veteran teachers and other instructional personnel. This historic increase puts Florida among the best states in the nation for minimum teacher pay in an effort to alleviate a teacher shortage.
Florida will move from 26th into the top five for minimum teacher salaries. It does not apply to support staff or substitute teachers.
The plan will also replace the Best and Brightest bonus program as it provides $100 million in extra pay for teachers making already making more than the set minimum. The Florida Legislature will also have to address pay raises annually under the proposal.
“COVID-19 has interrupted our students’ and teachers’ academic year in unprecedented ways,” said DeSantis. “Our teachers stepped up and found ways to keep our students learning and engaged these last few months to ensure students continued to receive the best education in the nation. They taught classes virtually; they made sure lesson materials were delivered; they committed to their students. Great teachers are what our students need as they re-enter the classroom in the fall, and that’s why this remained a major priority in our budget. Florida was previously 26th in the nation for teacher pay and this announcement puts us in the top five, an over 20 spot jump in one year that reflects an historic investment in teacher compensation.”
DeSantis is expected to trim somewhere between several hundred million to $1 billion from the budget due to COVID-19 shortfalls, including some of his own funding priorities.
Who Benefits:
- Step 1: Full-time classroom teachers (s. 1012.01(2)(a), F.S.) plus certified pre-K teachers funded in the FEFP (not including substitute teachers)
- Step 2: Group from Step 1 who did not receive an increase or increase was less than 2%, and other full-time instructional personnel (not including substitute teachers) (s. 1012.01(2)(b)-(d), F.S.)
How Funds Are Distributed
- These funds must be used solely to increase teacher salaries and no collective bargaining agreement can alter this requirement.
- Step 1: Requires school districts and charters to use $400 million to increase the salaries of all full-time school instructional classroom teachers to at least $47,500 or the maximum amount achievable based on the district’s allocation.
- Step 2: Requires school districts and charters to use $100 million to provide salary increases of the group from Step 1 who did not receive an increase or received an increase of less than 2%, and other full-time instructional personnel.
Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation that will give Florida teachers a raise on Wednesday at Mater Academy Charter School in Hialeah Gardens. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Law Provides Heat Stroke Protections For Florida Student Athletes
June 25, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed a bill that will require schools to do more to protect student athletes from heat strokes.
Known as the “Zachary Martin Act”, the bill requires health illness training and life saving equipment like AEDs for all schools that are members of the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Zachary Martin died in July 2017, after he suffered a heat stroke following summer high school football practice in South Florida heat. His mother, Laurie Giordano spent two years lobbying Florida lawmakers and the FHSAA for the protections.
The law goes into effect on July 1 requiring public schools to have a tub or other container that is full of cold water on the sidelines at all practices and games. Defibrillators will be required, and school personnel will be required to learn how to recognize heat illnesses including heat strokes and take immediate life saving actions.
Pictured: Washington at Tate, October 2019. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Council On Aging Seeks Volunteers For Expanded Meals On Wheels Program
June 25, 2020
In the past two weeks, Council on Aging of West Florida has enrolled more than 300 people in its pandemic-related Meals on Wheels expanded program. Now, the agency has a need for additional volunteers to deliver the hundreds of additional meals per week.
RELATED: Restaurants Partner With Meals On Wheels To Feed Seniors For Free
The onboarding process for new volunteers is quick and easy. First, a background check is performed on the prospective driver followed by an orientation and training so that expectations, procedures and rules can be fully outlined. Afterwards, the volunteer selects on which days and for how long he or she would like to deliver meals, then a route is provided along with meals, and they are sent on their way.
Council on Aging currently boasts nearly 500 volunteers throughout the agency, but as anxiety surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic continues, many have understandably temporarily suspended their volunteer status. Still, seniors are more in need of reliable nutrition than ever, and the agency provides personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves to all drivers.
“We certainly foresaw this level of need when we announced the expanded meals program,” said Council on Aging president/CEO John B. Clark. “However, as demand continues to grow, we predict an increased need for volunteers during this time. We and our clients would certainly be grateful for any help the community can provide—even just an hour or so a month.”
Those interested in volunteering should call Council on Aging volunteer manager Will Wirth at (850) 266-2518.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Class Of 2020 Graduates (With Photo Gallery, Full List)
June 25, 2020
The Northview High School Class of 2020 graduated Wednesday afternoon at the Pensacola Bay Center. It was the first graduation ceremony held away from the school campus in the history of Northview.
“First and foremost, I want to acknowledge and honor Jesus Christ for all that He has done and thank Him for bringing me this far,” Salutatorian Kayla McKillion began her address to the class.
“This year, COVID-19 thought it was going to take this day from us, but we are here, ready to take on the next challenge that life brings our way,” she said. “If this pandemic has taught me anything, it is to really cherish the ones around you.”
“As it’s stated in Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me’. Remember that. We did it. The triumphant class of 2020,” McKillion added.
“There is no such thing as a fine line in high school success. There is no either you succeed or you don’t,” Valedictorian Keaton Brown told his classmates. “There is however, a middle ground, a gray area. In this gray area you have those that kept up their grades but also knew how to enjoy high school. So to all the seniors in that middle ground not sitting up here on the stage having to give a 90 second speech, I envy you. And to all those at Northview here with us today that have yet to graduate, enjoy your time. Have a plan and pursue it, but never forget to spend time making memories.”
“Took us a while to get here; there were a few moments several of us wondered if we would be here at all. But here we are,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said.
“It’s a small class of 120 graduates, but they’ve packed a real punch into what they have done academically,” Thomas said. He said 19% of the class graduated with a GPA greater than 4.0, and about half the class graduated with a GPA greater than 3.0. Class members earned over $400,000 in scholarships.
The Northview Class of 2020 also honored two members that passed away – Dariontae Richardson and Kenneth Sewell.
Graduates were as follows:
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above)
Keaton Adam Brown - Valedictorian
Kayla Marie McKillion – Salutatorian
Addison Claire Albritton
William Milton Beach
Alexia Lee Broadhead
Sophia Danielle Cotita
Karlee’ Nicole Criswell
Garrick Neal Davis
Jason Nikijha Fayard
Hailey Nicole Harigel
Anna Christine King
Ansleigh Marie Maholovich
Abigayil Olivet Mascaro
Charleigh Elaine Parham
Kinzie Brooke Rackard
Teriana Jayde Redmond
Savannah Nicole Roley
Marissa Denae Rothrock
Cloe Madison Smith
Savannah Grace Spence
Bailey Anna Van Pelt
Elana Marie Ward
Brianna Shay White
Magna Cum Laude (3.85 GPA and above)
Emily Grace Boutwell
Jackson Thomas Edwards
Shelby Madlyn Godwin
Nicholas Alexander Trump
Cum Laude (3.5 GPA and above)
Hailie Marie Anderson
Madicyn Gashet Bell
Cassidy Jordyn Boutwell
Zachary Monroe Braun
Logan Alexander Brown
Lacie Elizabeth Carter
Jacob Daniel Adam Hawkins
Cory Lynn Hodgdon
Ragon Nicole Lassiter
Colby Logan Morris
Kyle Austin Sconiers
Madelin Michael Sheedy
Raeleigh Patricia Woodfin
Chunqi Yang
Marching In Alphabetical Order:
Jayla Lashaun Barron
Jaden Michael Bellamy
Brandon Tyler Berry
Jackob Frank Braun
A’Precious Treasure-Ann Brooks
Diamond Jaleea Brown
Dalton Shine Burke
Robert River-Floy Calloway
Gary Wayne Clayton
Destiny Sheri Cleckler
Steven Neil Cotita
Lydia Marjorie Davis
Courtney Gayle Devore
Colton Tyler Dockens
A’yanah Martia Dunn
Torrie Danyel Edmonson
Bradi Lee Edwards
Cody Fischer Edwards
Destiny Kay Fillingim
Cameron Blake Findley
Neionni Shardae Findley
Alexander Adam Floyd
Jakob Tripp Gibson
Jordan Skylar Godwin
John Lawrence Gulledge
Cameron Ja’von Harris
Christian Fitzgerald Hixon
Payton Elizabeth Jackson
Cheyenne Renee Johnson
Jade’a Brooke Johnson
Julie Ann Keith
Trent Jonathan Kite
Tyler Jackson Kite
Jake Lambeth
Corteria Adashia Leslie
Kendrell Burnett Lowery
Troya Aretha Massey
Laurel Aurora McCann
Brandon Lyle McCarthy
Kelli Shania Merchant
Aunterio Denell Minor
Tony J Misenar
Zi’esha Latashua Mitchell
Reville Mitchelle
Cornelious Lionel Moorer
Christopher Emmett Nordman
Kayla Ann Otto
Christopher Morgan Page
Joseph Raymond Parker
Trenton Wayne Peebles
Aaliyah Ma’shay Pope
Brianna Elizabeth Pugh
Kaitlynn Jane Respress
Devon Sean Rhinehart
Reba Michelle Rhinehart
Ronald Wyatt Rhinehart
Dellie Elizabeth Roberts
LaDashia Shaderrika Robinson
Samantha Lynn Sasser
Raymond Brenson Silcox
Tyler Wade Simmons
Beverly Lynn Skaggs
Tyler Douglas Spradlin
Savannah Nicole Steadham
Austin James Stoner
Melissa Dianne Sunday
Hunter Ray Thomas
Triston Duane Thompson
Gaetan Antonio Vaughn
Adam Grady Vinson
Isaiah David Walker
Brianna Marie Washington
Halee Jean Weaver
Briana Morgan White
Benjamin Lee Wilson
Joshua Alec Wilson
James Wyatt Windham
Stewart Zachary Woodfin
TiAsia Ja’Nae Wright
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
George Stone Technical College Opening In-Person Classes In July
June 25, 2020
George Stone Technical College (GSTC) is preparing to open a summer session of classes for current students enrolled in many of their programs that run July 6 – 30, so their students can have access to face-to-face instruction and the hands-on experiences necessary to complete their professional certification requirements.
“After we took a week off in March to plan, we were able to assist most of students to find ways to complete parts of their training by long-distance,” said GSTC Principal T.J. Rollins. “The students enrolled in the three stages of the aviation maintenance programs were close enough to completion of their programs that the students in the general aviation class and those in the aviation airframe mechanics’ class were able to complete their training and will move up in August. Those completing the third level of training, aviation power plants mechanics, graduated and now face preparations for their FAA certification tests.”
“A few programs including EMT, fire fighting and law enforcement were considered ‘essential’ and therefore were able to continue coming to school through the pandemic, but with some necessary changes to how we operated,” explained Rollins. “Our instructors found ways to use online resources to keep course work progressing and even accessed virtual training and simulations, such as simulated ride-alongs for our EMT students.”
For those who could come on campus, the staff also got creative and found ways to operate while factoring in the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for safety. Classes were reorganized to meet in smaller groups and to allow everyone to distance themselves.
Other programs were not allowed to operate on campus and while they were able to complete some of their programs online, they still need the face-to-face aspect of their training to complete their programs. That is where the July term comes in.
The July session will be for students already enrolled in certain programs who need hands-on training and face-to-face time with instructors to be able to complete assessments required for certifications.
The July session will include a class for the GED (Adult General Education) and will serve the following programs of study:
- Business Programs: accounting operations, administrative office specialist, computer systems & information technology, applied cybersecurity, medical administrative specialist, network support services, and network systems administration.
- Industrial Programs: automotive collision technology, automotive service technology, cosmetology, electricity, marine services technology, welding technology and advanced welding technology.
Plans are for the remainder GSTC’s health and public services classes, as well as some additional industrial programs, to begin August 10.
For more information, contact George Stone’s admissions office at (850) 941-6200, or visit www.GeorgeStoneCollege.edu.
Showers and Thunderstorms Likely For Thursday
June 25, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Victor “Levy” Foster
June 25, 2020
Victor “Levy” Foster, resident of Walnut Hill, FL, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at the age of 42. Levy was born in Pensacola, FL on October 24, 1977. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and people. The more people he could be around the better. Levy loved people and they loved him.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Vicki Hare; and father, James Patrick “Pat” Boyington.
Levy is survived by his son, Blayne Foster; two daughters, Madison Stallworth-Foster and Sieanna Diane Lambeth; and a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 3PM on Friday, June 26, 2020 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with visitation beginning at 2PM. Bro. Fred Stallworth will officiate services. Flowers or contributions to Faith Chapel for funeral cost are welcome.
Wendi Marie Green
June 25, 2020
Wendi Marie Green left this world loved by many.
Her favorite pastime was playing like a child with her nephew, Trey and her little cousin, Brooke. She was a beautiful woman. She would not go in public without her makeup being perfect or her clothing matching perfectly.
She would not leave her daddy alone on holidays, yet she would also make time for her step-dad, momma, brother and nephew.
Wendi often shared stories of how she was the boss of her little brother, Harry. Then things changed when he grew up. They had fun as children with lots of special memories!
Her favorite buddy was her aunt, Terryle who she tried her best to stay out of trouble with. Her Aunt Terryle was her second momma.
Wendi has a special aunt, Donna Bolling, who she loved with all her heart. She often spoke of the appreciation that she had for her aunt and her aunt had for her.
Wendi had one love of her life, Steve Keenan for the past 13 years and she will be missed so much by him and his mother, Sandy Keenan who was everyone’s mother figure.
But the most beautiful thing to share about Wendi’s life is that she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into her heart the last weekend of her life as her best friend and cousin, Terra led her to Him.
Wendi would also sit and listen to her cousin, Gary Nick’s Story about Jesus and salvation. Gary Nick planted the seed for Terra to witness to her that special last weekend of her life.
She will surely be missed as her loved ones say their goodbyes to her as they thank God for where she is today, in the arms of our Dear Heavenly Father.
Preceded in death by, her grandparents, Nick and Loma Elliott, Johnnie Bolling Elliott, Carol Lee Green, Audria Hardy Zwally and her brother, Ronald Allen Hardy, Jr.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her father, Harry Green, Sr.; her mother Sherryle Elliott Hardy and special step dad, Ronald Hardy, Sr.; her brothers, Harry Green, Jr. and Ryne Hardy; special aunt, Terryle Gibson; special person in her life, Stephen Keenan, special aunt, Donna Bolling; and special cousin, Terra and cousin, Gary Nick. She leaves many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A special thank you to Pat Cravatt Hardy for the many jobs she has helped the family with during this time.
Serving as pallbearers are, Teddy Green, Drey Johns, Ryne Hardy, Rusty Hardy, Kenny Frye, and Steve Keenan.
Momma loves you.
The family will receive friends from 6PM to 8PM on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Funeral services will be held at 11AM, Friday, June 26, 2020 at the funeral home.
William “Todd” Neal
June 25, 2020
With deepest sorrow we announce that William “Todd” Neal, age 39, died unexpectedly on Sunday June 21, 2020 from heart failure. He was born March 26, 1981 in Paducah, Ky. to parents Donald Neal and Patricia (Petersen) Neal, though he spent most of his life in Cantonment, FL.
Todd, as he was known to family and friends, was a 1999 graduate of Tate High School. He was known as a jack of all trades and held numerous jobs in construction, roofing and landscaping throughout his life. He was a generous friend and family member with a huge heart, who would literally give the shirt off his back. He had a great sense of humor. Those who knew Todd, even just a little, lost a shining light in their lives.
He will be missed every day by his parents Don and Patti, sons Derrick K. Neal and Jordan Goon all of Cantonment, daughter Lauren (Ted) Fisher, granddaughters Sadie and Payton of Beulah, Brothers James (Sarah) Groshong of Cantonment and Jason (Tracy) Neal of Sharpe, Ky. Grandparents Larry and Juanita Barker of Waverly, Tn. , his loving Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and many loving friends.
He is spending time now with his Granny Myrtle Way, Grandfather William H. Neal, and his brother Derrick B. Neal whom he has missed for so long. We suspect he spends a lot of time riding his horse Thunder through the streets of heaven as he once did in Cantonment.
Friends and family are invited to visit Todd’s family at Faith Chapel North, 1000 Hwy 29 South, Cantonment, FL on Saturday June 27th from 10 to 11 am. A Memorial Service will be held there immediately following.
Two Injured In Head On Crash On East Kingsfield Road
June 24, 2020
Two people were injured in a head-on crash in Cantonment Wednesday afternoon.
The wreck happened about 3 p.m. on East Kingsfield Road at Equestrian Way. Two people were briefly trapped in their vehicles after the crash.
None of the injuries were believed to be life threatening. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
