Scott Suspends 11th Grade English Test
February 25, 2015
Days before testing was scheduled to begin, Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order Tuesday suspending the administration of an 11th-grade language arts test that Education Commissioner Pam Stewart has asked the Legislature to eliminate.
The move was expected; Stewart had recommended last week that Scott suspend the exam so that lawmakers can consider legislation to permanently scrap it. Critics of the test say it’s redundant because students’ graduation requirements in language arts are fulfilled by an assessment given in the 10th grade.
The state’s largest teachers union, though, said Scott should have done more, even as union leaders conceded they were unsure of the limits of his authority. Officials with the Florida Education Association pointed out that the executive order gets rid of just one of the tests that students face, and they pushed for suspending the entire school-accountability system for a year.
“But we think that the governor ought to have an executive order that delays all of this for a year or two in order to let us try to bring everything together and figure out, is the system that we have in place helping instruction and helping students?” union President Andy Ford said.
In a nod to the fact that the state is introducing a new set of statewide exams this year, the Legislature has already given public schools a reprieve from consequences that might have followed poor marks on the annual school report card. But schools will still be given letter grades, students could still be retained in third grade if they don’t pass a state test, and teachers will still see part of their job evaluations based on student performance.
Ford said the state should treat this year’s exams as a “field test” to work out any kinks.
“We should still go ahead and administer the test, but we shouldn’t have the consequences for that,” he said.
Speaking with reporters Tuesday afternoon after a roundtable discussion with local teachers of the year, Scott indicated he wasn’t interested in a delay.
“We all know that when we measure something, there’s a greater chance that we’re going to take it seriously and we’re going to improve,” he said. “I believe our teachers are going to do well. I think our students are going to do well.”
Stewart also recommended curtailing some other local and statewide tests in her report last week, but much of the testing that the state requires would remain in place. Lawmakers plan to pass legislation dealing with assessments during the 60-day session that begins next week.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Tate’s Football Season Opener Not In Biloxi After All
February 25, 2015
The Tate High School Quarterback Club announced Tuesday that the school’s football season opener won’t be on the road after all. Instead, Biloxi High School will travel to Pete Gindl Stadium in Cantonment for the first game of the season on a to be announced date
The Aggies full 2015 season schedule is expected to be announced soon.
No Serious Injuries In Hwy 29, Neal Road Accident
February 24, 2015
There were no serious injuries in a two vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon at Neal Road and Highway 29 in Cantonment. The accident is under investigation by the Florida highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Northview Celebrates National FFA Week With Breakfast
February 24, 2015
FFA members at Northview High School are celebrating National FFA Week with a variety of events.
Tuesday morning, the FFA officers and members prepared a homestyle breakfast for teachers, staff and invited guests that support the FFA program. Northview’s FFA program has been recognized as one of the top chapters in both the state and the nation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Attorney To Appeal Sentence That Allows Sex Offender Doc To Remain Free
February 24, 2015
[Updated] An Escambia County doctor, Brian Mitchell Lee, was designated as a sex offender and sentenced Monday afternoon by Judge Terry Terrell to two years of community control and 13 years probation. The 43-year old was convicted of traveling to meet a minor to engage in sexual contact, unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate the commission of a felony and using a computer to solicit the sexual conduct of a child.
Tuesday afternoon, State Attorney Bill Eddins announced the state will appeal the sentence.
“In this case, the statutory guideline recommended sentence called for a sentence of 45 months in State Prison. The Court deviated from this recommendation and imposed a sentence of two years community control followed by thirteen years of probation. In order for a Court to deviate below a guideline recommendation, the Court must give written reasons to justify such deviation. It is the position of the State in its appeal that the reasons given for the deviation are legally insufficient,” according to a statement released by Eddins’ office.
Evidence presented at trial established that on December 22, 2013, an undercover law enforcement officer responded to Lee’s Craigslist ad seeking sex from “younger fit men.” Between December 22, 2013 and January 2, 2014, Lee engaged in sexually-explicit email conversations with who he believed to be a 14-year-old boy. On January 2, 2014, Lee traveled to a local bowling alley for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with the teenage boy. Law enforcement arrested Lee upon his arrival. In addition, in an email admitted at trial, Lee wrote that he has “always been attracted to adolescent males”.
According to the sentence imposed by Terrell, Lee will be allowed to continue his medical practice at Perdido Bay Family Care, but won’t be allowed to treat any juvenile patients without another medical professional’s presence. He will also be required to seek treatment as a sex offender.
Barrineau Park Road Paved Into Alabama
February 24, 2015
Escambia County has completed paving a route across the Perdido River into Alabama.
Over three years ago, Baldwin County paved 2.8 miles of Barrineau Park Road (also known as Duck Place Road) from the Perdido River to Highway 112. But the Florida side, from the river to the intersection of South Highway 99 and Highway 196 in the Barrineau Park community — remained dirt until recently.
Escambia County owns the bridge across the Perdido River into Alabama. But the county-maintained the dirt road on the Florida side was, until 2013, privately owned by the Barrineau Estate. It is only about four-tenths of a mile long, but the county had no right to pave it. The heirs of William Merwin Barrineau, donated the 2.73 acres of right-of-way to Escambia County for the roadway and related drainage infrastructure.
The route is the only east-west route across the Perdido River between Muscogee Road in Cantonment and Highway 31 in Escambia County, Ala. The road is often used by farmers and ranchers as they transport goods to market from North Escambia to Robertsdale, Ala. It is also a shortcut route for many families to activities and shopping in Baldwin County and vice versa for Baldwin County residents traveling to Pensacola.
Pictured top: Looking from Alabama across a bridge over the Perdido River into Escambia County. Pictured below: The recently paved Barrineau Park Road in Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
First New Nursing Homes In Over A Decade Approved For Escambia, Santa Rosa
February 24, 2015
After more than a decade-long moratorium on adding nursing home beds, state regulators said Monday they have approved proposals for 2,600 beds in 25 counties — including 120 new beds in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The approvals, through what is known as the “certificate of need” process, came after lawmakers last year approved a measure to lift the moratorium.
Lawmakers began the moratorium in 2001, at least in part, to help lead to more care being provided in communities instead of in nursing homes.
The Agency for Health Care Administration approved a proposal for a new $19 million, 90-bed facility to likely be located in the general area of Nine Mile Road and and the University of West Florida. The agency also approved a proposal for a $3.3 million, 30-bed addition to a current 60-bed facility on Glover Lane in Milton.
“This expansion of Florida’s long-term care infrastructure will not only provide more access to care, but will also bolster Florida’s economy for the next few years,” AHCA Secretary Liz Dudek said in a prepared statement. “In addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars that will be spent on construction projects, these beds will result in hundreds of new jobs for administrative staff and caregivers.”
New nursing homes are expected to be scattered across the state, though Central Florida appears likely to see some of the most construction.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
FDLE Arrests Two On Child Porn Charges
February 24, 2015
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Pensacola Regional Operations Center Special Agents arrested two local men on charges of possession of child pornography.
Agents arrested Warren Hardy Lindsley, 31, of 2101 Scenic Highway, # E-204 on 15 counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of promoting the sexual performance by a child. Agents began investigating Lindsley after discovering a computer at his residence downloading and sharing child pornography. After a search of his home, agents discovered multiple video files of child pornography located on a computer belonging to Lindsley. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail on $50,000 bond.
In a separate investigation, Keith Thomas Shaffer, 55, of 4856 Makenna Circle, Pace was arrested on 15 counts of possession of child pornography. Agents began investigating Shaffer after discovering a computer at his residence downloading child pornography. After a search of his home, agents discovered evidence linking Shaffer to the images that were downloaded from his computer. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
10 Big Issues To Watch During 2015 Legislative Session
February 24, 2015
Florida lawmakers will gather March 3 in the Capitol for the pomp-filled start of the 2015 legislative session. Then the real work begins. For 60 days, the House and Senate will grapple with hot-button issues ranging from standardized testing in public schools to reforming the troubled prison system. And that doesn’t even touch on the one must-pass bill of the session: a roughly $77 billion state budget.
Here are 10 big issues to watch during the upcoming session:
BUDGET: Banking on a nearly $1 billion surplus, Gov. Rick Scott offered a budget proposal in January that included record per-student spending in public schools and $673 million in tax cuts. But a major question looms for the Republican-dominated Legislature as it prepares to negotiate a final spending plan this spring. A program that has funneled about $1 billion a year to hospitals and other health providers is set to expire June 30, and it is unclear whether state and federal officials can agree on an extension. If they can’t agree, that would leave a huge hole in the budget. The program, known as the Low Income Pool, helps subsidize care for low-income and uninsured Floridians.
CHILD WELFARE: After a series of child deaths, lawmakers last year passed a wide-ranging law to try to reform the Florida Department of Children and Families. But lawmakers and the agency are struggling with renewed questions heading into this year’s session, in part because of the high-profile death of a 5-year-old girl who was dropped off a bridge into Tampa Bay. A 50-page report issued in late January by a new institute at Florida State University called for state leaders to go far beyond their previous efforts to fix the child-welfare system.
GAMBLING: Lawmakers have toyed the past few years with revamping the state’s gambling laws, but they have ended up scuttling proposals such as allowing resort casinos in South Florida. This spring, however, Scott and the Legislature are confronted with a decision about whether to extend part of a gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that brings in more than $100 million a year for the state. If the Seminole deal goes before the Legislature, odds are that lobbyists will use it as a springboard to seek other changes in the gambling industry.
GUNS: When Florida State University graduate Myron May opened fire at the campus library in November, he wounded three people before he was shot to death by police. The incident stunned the university. But it also reopened a debate about whether the Legislature should start allowing people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns on college campuses. Supporters of the change say it would help students and other people on campus defend themselves. But critics contend that the proposal could make campuses more dangerous.
HEALTH CARE: The noisiest health-care issue during the upcoming session likely will focus on whether the state should accept tens of billions of dollars in federal money to expand Medicaid or to provide coverage through a similar private health-insurance program. But like the past two years, the idea appears dead on arrival in the Florida House. Health-care lobbyists, however, are working on a variety of other issues, including proposals to bolster the use of telemedicine in the state. The House and Senate could not reach agreement on a telemedicine bill last year but appear to be close to a compromise heading into this spring’s session.
LAND AND WATER: Voters sent a strong message in November when they overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment requiring the state to set aside hundreds of millions of dollars a year for land and water projects. But one of the most closely watched issues of the session will be how the Legislature carries that out. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, and Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, have made clear that water issues will be a priority of their two years leading the Legislature. But at least part of the debate will focus on how to divvy up money between proposed water projects, which range from cleaning up natural springs and the Everglades to helping with local-government stormwater systems.
PRISONS: The Florida Department of Corrections is getting hit from all sides. Among other things, it faces investigations into inmate deaths, allegations of cover-ups, complaints about low staffing levels and questions about health care provided to prisoners. Senators have started moving aggressively to try to make changes in the agency, which has long had problems. Among the proposals under discussion: creating new penalties for guards who abuse prisoners and establishing a new commission to oversee the prison system.
STADIUMS: Lawmakers last year approved a plan to try to bring some order to lobbying scrums about whether the state should spend sales-tax dollars to help pay for building or renovating sports stadiums. The plan led to four stadium projects — involving EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Daytona International Speedway, Sun Life Stadium in Miami-Dade County and an Orlando soccer stadium — submitting voluminous applications and undergoing reviews. But then the process became messy, at least in part because the state Department of Economic Opportunity did not rank the projects. And now, lawmakers find themselves once again getting lobbied heavily as they try to decide whether the state should subsidize stadium projects.
TAX CUTS: The question isn’t whether lawmakers will approve tax cuts. The question is how big the number will be and which taxes will get cut. Scott’s proposed $673 million in tax cuts focus heavily on what is known as the communications-services tax, which is collected on such things as cell-phone bills and cable television. The governor wants to cut that tax by about $470 million, arguing such a cut would directly help families. It is unclear whether lawmakers will go along with such a large cut in that tax. But they are looking at several additional possibilities, including cutting a tax on real-estate leases, increasing deductions on corporate-income taxes and offering sales-tax holidays.
TESTING: Democrats and teachers unions howled for years about Florida high-stakes testing system, which was largely ushered in by former Gov. Jeb Bush and backed by Republican legislative leaders. But with many conservative voters now also objecting to the system, Scott and the Legislature appear to be looking for ways to scale back the focus on standardized testing. Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, with the support of Scott, has already called for eliminating at least one statewide test. A key for Republican lawmakers could be trying to find a balance between reduced testing and still having accountability measures for schools.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Tate, Northview Band Students Earn High Ratings At Districts
February 24, 2015
Over 100 Northview and Tate high school band students were awarded excellent and superior ratings recently at the Solo and Ensemble Music Performance Assessments at Gulf Breeze High School.
State qualifying soloists and groups are indicated below with an asterisk (*). These students will take part in the state solo and ensemble assessments March 23-24 in Gainesville. To qualify for state, the students were required to perform a Grade 5 or higher and earn a Superior rating at the district level.
NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Sarah Dutton (Flag solo) – Excellent
Tiffani Cruce (Flag solo) – Excellent
Amber Freeman (Flute solo) – Superior
Kylie Brook (Flute solo) – Superior
Clayton Findley (Tenor Saxophone solo) – Superior
Adrian King (Trombone Solo) – Superior
Triston Long (Tuba solo) – Superior
Abbie Johnson (Piano solo) – Superior
David Weber (Snare solo) – Superior*
David Weber and Tristan Williams (Percussion duet) – Superior*
Julie Hester (Baton solo) – Superior*
Brianna Smith (Baton solo) – Superior*
TATE HIGH SCHOOL
Soloists:
Toye Johnson (Piccolo) – Superior
Angel Chu (Flute) – Superior *
Taylor Ertel (Flute) – Superior
Tiana Hendricks (Flute) – Superior *
Toye Johnson (Flute) – Superior
Madison Rondeau (Flute) – Superior *
Katie Woods (Clarinet) – Superior *
Ashton Nelson (Bassoon) – Superior *
Bryce Coots (Alto Sax) – Superior *
Randi Avery (Trumpet) – Excellent
Jacob Howard (Trumpet) – Superior *
Ethan Millet (Trumpet) – Superior *
Tristan Workman (Trumpet) – Excellent
Ian McCool (Trombone) – Good
Nathan Tubbs (Trombone) – Superior
Cody Swilley (Euphonium) – Superior *
Emily DeRise (Marimba) – Excellent
Erica Earnest (Marimba) – Superior *
Honya Richbourg (Marimba) – Superior *
Danae Smith (Marimba) – Superior *
Small Ensembles:
Flute Duet: Jordan Rynders & Brittany Gipson – Excellent
Flute Duet: Toye Johnson & Madison Tourney – Excellent
Flute Trio: Ana Lowe, Steffany Brown, & Tiana Hendricks – Superior
Clarinet Duet: Alyssa Spencer & Kaelyn Houghton – Excellent
Clarinet Trio: Ashlyn Adams, Kyndal Bray, & Ashia McMillon – Superior
Clarinet Quartet: Eric Milligan, Katie Snyder, Alyssa Spencer, & Mallory Parker – Superior
Trumpet Duet: Nick Touchstone & Tristan Workman – Superior
Trumpet Quartet: Jacob Howard, Zach Vranich, Ethan Millet, & Tristan Workman – Superior
Trombone Trio: Nathan Tubbs, Haley Groff, & Amber Brock – Superior
Woodwind Quintet (Superior)
Angel Chu, Flute
Madison Philley, Oboe
Eric Milligan, Clarinet
Ashton Nelson, Bassoon
Jacob Caddell, French Horn
Brass Quintet (Excellent)
Zach Vranich, Trumpet
Kayley Groff, Trumpet
Jacob Caddell, French Horn
Zach Humphries, Trombone
Nick Krostag, Tuba
Saxophone Sextet (Superior)
Bryce Coots, Alto
Brennan Infinger, Alto
Michael Lett, Alto
Eric Esselburn, Tenor
Kayla Dixon, Tenor
Ashton Nelson, Baritone
Woodwind Choir (Superior)
Kelsea Jacobson, Flute
Lillian Jensen, Flute
Toye Johnson, Flute
Ana Lowe, Flute
Micaela Palma, Flute
Levi Shaffer, Flute
Jamie Simon, Flute
Tori VanScyoc, Flute
Madison Philley, Oboe
Lexi Dixon, Clarinet
Jillian Flowers, Clarinet
Eric Milligan, Clarinet
Jordan Myers, Clarinet
Olivia Brown, Bass Clarinet
Keionna Odom, Bass Clarinet
Ashton Nelson, Bassoon
Logan Royer, Bassoon
Cameron Caulder, Alto Sax
Bryce Coots, Alto Sax
Brennan Infinger, Alto Sax
Anthony Mikhail, Alto Sax
Jacob Norre, Tenor Sax
Kayla Dixon, Bari Sax
Brass Choir (Superior)
Sasha Babkin – Trumpet
Ryan Cawby – Trumpet
J. D. Franklin – Trumpet
Kayley Groff – Trumpet
Jacob Hall – Trumpet
Jacob Howard – Trumpet
Blake Norre – Trumpet
Abbey Opalenik – Trumpet
Zach Vranich – Trumpet
Jessica Gainey – French Horn
Chad Ratliff – French Horn
Nick Simmons – French Horn
Chandler Cotton – Trombone
Hayley Groff – Trombone
Zach Humphries – Trombone
Cody Swilley – Trombone
Nathan Tubbs – Trombone
Aaron Gavin – Tuba
Nick Krostag – Tuba
Ryan Tanton – Timpani
Percussion Choir – Concert Band (Superior)
Stephen Cleary
Morgan Ghiorso
Alexandra Hatley
Mason Humphries
Bryan LeDuc
Patrick McHaney
Crosby Mowry
Colin Smith
Will Talley
Percussion Choir – Symphonic Band (Superior)
Landon Benson
Tristan Hacker
Ethan Jensen
Kathryn Skipper
Ben Wagner
Hunter Welch
Percussion Choir – Wind Ensemble (Superior) *
Peyton Benson
Erica Earnest
Aaron Gavin
Maurice Hendricks
Kyle Irps
Paxton Metcalf
Kaitlin Sainata
Danae Smith
Honya Richbourg
Pictured: Northview High School band members earning Superior and Excellent ratings. Photos for Northescambia.com, click to enlarge.
