Battle Continues Over Florida ‘High Quality’ Schools Requirement
July 24, 2018
When Florida voters went to the polls in 1998, more than 70 percent approved a constitutional amendment that required the state to provide an “uniform, efficient, safe, secure and high quality” system of public schools.
But two decades later, the Florida Supreme Court is preparing to wade into a long-running battle about whether the state has adequately carried out the requirement — and whether judges should even decide questions that attorneys for the state describe as a “political thicket.”
The state last week filed a 72-page brief asking the Supreme Court to uphold a decision by the 1st District Court of Appeal that rejected the lawsuit, which has been led by a group called Citizens for Strong Schools.
In the brief, the state’s attorneys argued that the issues raised by the plaintiffs are “non-justiciable political questions” that courts should not resolve. But even if the Supreme Court disagrees with that argument, the state’s attorneys contend that Florida has made “dramatic improvements” in student performance, dispelling the notion that it has not provided an adequate education system.
“Florida’s school reforms and education policies — most of which were implemented after the 1998 constitutional amendment … — have led to steady and impressive gains in student performance,” the brief said.
But in a brief filed last month, attorneys for the plaintiffs argued that the Supreme Court should overturn the 1st District Court of Appeal ruling and send the case back to a circuit judge under an “appropriate standard of review” to determine if the state has met the constitutional requirements.
In questioning the quality of education provided in the state, the plaintiffs’ brief pointed to issues such as disparities in student test performances in different counties and by different racial and ethnic groups.
“The (1998 constitutional) revision mandates that the state give all children in Florida a chance to obtain a high quality education,” the plaintiffs’ brief said. “Parents allege this is not occurring. But the First DCA (District Court of Appeal) ruled that, regardless, courts have no power to ensure it does. That decision was an abdication of the courts’ core responsibility to act when other branches of government’s acts violate the Constitution.”
The 1998 amendment was placed on the ballot by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, a panel that meets every 20 years to consider revisions to the Constitution. Voters approved the measure at the same time they elected Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, who ushered in major — and often-controversial — changes to the education system that continue to reverberate in 2018.
Among other things, Bush and his supporters backed expansion of school choice, high-stakes testing and grading the performances of public schools.
The constitutional amendment, in part, said it is a “paramount duty of the state to make adequate provision for the education of all children residing within its borders.” The amendment fleshed that out, in part, by saying adequate provision will be made for a “uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system” of public schools.
Citizens for Strong Schools and the other plaintiffs initially filed the lawsuit in 2009. A Leon County circuit judge ruled in favor of the state in 2016, and the 1st District Court of Appeal followed suit in December.
After the plaintiffs took the issue to the Supreme Court in January, the state argued justices should not take it up. But the Supreme Court decided in April to hear the case. It has not scheduled oral arguments.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Registration Continuing For Bratt Basketball Camp With Former NBA Coach
July 24, 2018
Registration is continuing at the First Baptist Church of Bratt for a three day basketball camp beginning Wednesday with a former NBA, college and high school coach.
The camp for children ages 8-14 will be held Wednesday through Friday at the church.
Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach will teach kids the fundamentals of basketball and Biblical awareness.
Dutremble is a a retired coach and member of the International Basketball Hall of Fame. He career includes coaching at every level from high school to the NBA, and into international arenas, with a lifetime coaching record of 687-117 and seven national championships. He was selected “Coach of the Year” six times, and served as national team head coach to Belgium, Scotland, and Jordan. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, serving under Paul Westhead and Pat Riley, from 1979-83 and helping the team to three NBA championships with players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The cost is $45 per student with a limited number of scholarships available. The funds are used exclusively to purchase shoes and basketballs for needy children in other countries where Dutremble conducts camps.
The First Baptist Church of Bratt is located on Highway 4 just west of Northview High School.
All children participating in the camp will receive a certificate of completion and a t-shirt from Dutremble. For registration information, call (850) 327-6529, email thawsey@gmail.com, visit the church Tuesday or register at 8:30 Wednesday morning.
Pictured: Students that participated in a previous basketball camp at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Inset: Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century’s New Gas Supervisor On The Job, Again
July 24, 2018
Century’s new gas superintendent is on the job, a position he previously held.
Walter “Wally” Kellett worked for the town as gas superintendent from June 2015 to May 2016 when he left to pursue another job, according to the town. He has returned as gas superintendent, replacing Kim Godwin who was promoted to town clerk.
Kellett worked for Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division in Memphis, TN, from 1990 until 2015, and was the department’s Supervisor of Gas Services from 2001 to 2015, according to his resume. At Memphis Light, Gas and Water, he was responsible for the direction of nearly 50 employees in a system with 313,000 meters. During his tenure, he also worked as a commercial and industrial service representative, a commercial and industrial gas welder installer and a gas utility technician. He holds numerous industry-related professional licenses and certifications, his resume states.
Kellett recently retired from Memphis Light, Gas and Water.
Wahoos Winning Streak Ends With Loss To Lookouts
July 24, 2018
After Pensacola had taken the lead in the top of the ninth inning, the Lookouts rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth to top the Blue Wahoos, 4-3, Monday night at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tenn. The loss snapped the Blue Wahoos winning streak at six games.
Pensacola took an early lead with a run in the top of the first when Mitch Nay singled home Jose Siri. The lead was short lived. In the bottom of the inning Brent Rooker socked his 18th home run of the season to tie the game.
The Blue Wahoos answered to reclaim the lead when Taylor Sparks scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the second inning. The game stayed 2-1 until Chattanooga tied the game in the fifth. Jaylen Davis singled on a line drive that hit off Wahoos pitcher Seth Varner and ricocheted in the hole between first and second base and allowed Jimmy Kerrigan to score.
With the game tied in the ninth, Luis Gonzalez drove home Mitch Nay with a one-out double to right field. Pensacola had a chance for more, but stranded two runners in scoring position. The Lookouts answered against Wahoos reliver Alejandro Chacin (L, 1-2). Mitchell Kranson led off the bottom of the ninth with a pinch-hit home run to tie the game. Then, with one out, Tanner English tripled to left field. With two outs, Chris Paul yanked a 1-2 pitch to left field for the game winning hit.
Pensacola wasn’t without opportunities in the game. The Blue Wahoos left 15 runners on base and were just 2-for-17 with runners in scoring position.
Despite a no-decision, Varner was solid. He allowed just two runs, one earned, over six innings with one walk and five strikeouts. Carlos Navas backed him up with two scoreless innings in relief. The blown save was the first of the season for Chacin. Ryne Harper (W, 1-2) picked up with win despite allowing a run (unearned) over 1.1 innings.
The Blue Wahoos will try to bounce back on Tuesday night with RHP Vladimir Gutierrez (8-8, 4.13) on the mound against RHP Omar Bencomo (6-4, 3.41).
Car Collides With Concrete Barrier On Highway 29 At I-10
July 23, 2018
At least one person suffered injuries when a car collided with a concrete barrier on Highway 29 at I-10 Monday afternoon. The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Emergency Lane Closure, Highway 29 Near Nine Mile Road
July 23, 2018
THIS ROADWAY IS NOW OPEN.
The inside northbound lane of Highway 29 was closed Monday from north of the Nine Mile Road overpass to 9 1/2 Mile Road as crews performed emergency drainage repairs, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Escaped Prison Inmate Captured Near Atmore
July 23, 2018
An escaped prison inmate was captured on Bell Fork Road near Atmore this morning after a manhunt.
Damon Rashad Dinsmore and Cantorius Alan White escaped Monday morning from the Loxley Work Release Center in Baldwin County. White was recaptured in Loxley a short time later by local police.
A man identified as Dinsmore crashed a vehicle into a pole at the Atmore exit Chevron station about 8 a.m., according to Chief Deputy Mike Lambert of Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office. He fled on foot and and was tracked by K-9 units. He was spotted by a logging crew on Bell Fork Road just after 11 a.m.
Dinsmore was serving a third degree burglary sentence out of Franklin County, AL.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kitchen Fire At Cantonment Apartment Complex
July 23, 2018
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a kitchen fire early Monday morning at the Wild Oak Farm Apartments on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
Smoke was coming from one apartment when firefighters arrived on scene about 2 a.m. The fire was discovered to be contained to the stove in that unit.
An adult and baby were reported to be evaluated on scene but any injuries were not considered serious.
The Cantonment and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia EMS responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Splash Pad Bathrooms Closed Due To Vandalism
July 23, 2018
The Town of Century has closed the bathrooms at the Showalter Park splash pad due to vandalism, unless some has paid to rent the adjacent pavilion.
“Due to recent acts of vandalism, restrooms will only be unlocked during splash pad and pavillion (sic) rentals,” a posted notice stated.
The splash pad restroom was closed after vandalim inside the facility, but that did not stop the vandals from striking outside.
Friday afternoon, children were playing on the splash pad and under the pavilion. Clearly visible just feet away was spray-painted graffiti with an image so vulgar we can’t show it here.
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins has asked the town council for a camera system to monitor and record at Showalter Park and other town properties. So far, approval has not been granted. Vandals have also hit Anthony Pleasant Park and other public properties in the Century area.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Pediatrician Joins Cantonment Pediatrics
July 23, 2018
A new pediatrician has joined Community Health Northwest Florida, formerly Escambia Community Clinics, in Cantonment.
Samuel Ravenel, MD, FAAP, is now on staff at at Community Health Northwest Florida’s Cantonment Pediatrics location at 470 South Highway 29 in Cantonment,.Cantonment Pediatrics provides medical, dental and behavioral health care in one convenient location for families in Cantonment and surrounding communities.
Ravenel, a general pediatrician, is board certified with the American Board of Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. A 1997 graduate of The Medical University of South Carolina, Ravenel completed his pediatric residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA.
The doctor is now accepting new patients from 0 through 18 years of age for well-baby and well-child checkups, sick child visits, immunizations, routine physicals, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, and management of chronic conditions such as allergies, asthma, and ADHD.
Appointments with Ravenel can be made by calling Community Health Northwest Florida’s Cantonment Pediatrics location at (850) 780-0111.