State Board Looks To Boost Per-Student Education Funding
September 26, 2014
The Florida Board of Education on Monday is expected to consider a proposed 2015-16 legislative budget request that would mirror Gov. Rick Scott’s pledge to increase per-student funding to the highest level in state history, according to board documents posted online.
The budget request, which is a first step in a process that will end with lawmakers approving a spending plan next spring, calls for the public-school funding formula to include $7,176 per student, the same number Scott proposed last month.
Scott is using the pledge in his re-election campaign against Democratic candidate Charlie Crist, a former Republican governor. The $7,176 amount would top a previous high of $7,126 achieved while Crist was in office.
Among other issues in the proposed budget request, the Department of Education would not seek a tuition increase at state colleges. Scott also has made a priority of holding down tuition. The Board of Education will meet Monday in Tampa.
by The News Service of Florida
Researchers Identify Two Boys Who Died At Old Dozer Reform School
September 26, 2014
University of South Florida researchers on Thursday announced the identification of two sets of remains found at the site of a former Northwest Florida reform school.
The decades-old remains were of Thomas Varnadoe, who died at age 13, and Earl Wilson, who died at 12. They were the second and third children whose remains were identified after being recovered from graves at the former Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in the Jackson County town of Marianna.
University researchers began exhumations last year after questions arose about whether boys suffered abuse and died at the school, with their bodies buried in unmarked graves.
“There is closure for three families,” U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said. “I suspect there will be closure for many more in the near future.”
In January, the researchers announced they had exhumed 55 sets of remains from the school grounds. Last month, they announced they had identified the remains of George Owen Smith, who went to Dozier at age 14 in 1940 and was never seen by his family again.
Nelson credited Varnadoe’s nephew, Glen Varnadoe of Polk County, for filing a lawsuit to prevent the state from selling the now-closed school site until researchers from the university could search the grounds.
The state hopes to sell the 1,400-acre Dozier site eventually, a move that has been put on hold by the investigation. In September 2013, Gov. Rick Scott and the state Cabinet gave the research team a one-year window to search the site for more unaccounted-for bodies.
“I am overwhelmed that we have achieved the goal we originally set of removing him from a place of atrocity-laden soils,” Varnadoe said of his uncle.
Thomas Varnadoe was sent to Dozier in September 1934 and died 34 days after being admitted, according to information from the university. His death certificate said the youth died of pneumonia. Ultimately, researchers matched the DNA of Thomas Varnadoe and his brother, Richard.
Wilson was admitted to Dozier in August 1944 and later was moved with eight other students to a cottage known as the “sweat box,” the university said in information released Thursday. Court documents indicated Wilson was killed by four of the students and that the cause of death was listed as blunt trauma to the head.
The university said researchers found Wilson’s grave in an area of the Dozier site where marked crosses had been ceremoniously placed during the 1990s. The university said the crosses did not accurately reflect the location of grave shafts or the number of bodies buried in the vicinity.
Wilson’s DNA was matched with DNA collected from his sister, Cherry Wilson of Lakeland. She and three other relatives also participated in a press conference Thursday in Tampa.
Also on hand was state Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, to whom Varnadoe had turned for help.
“I couldn’t believe that was something that could happen in this state,” Stargel said.
The researchers are still trying to locate family members to help identify other sets of remains.
“There are still a lot of mysteries out there,” Nelson said. “The investigation, really, has just begun.”
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
Freeport Volleyball Sweeps NHS
September 26, 2014
The Freeport Bulldogs swept straight games from the Northview Chiefs Thursday in Bratt.
Junior Varsity
20-25, 17-25. Freeport wins
Varsity
15-25, 23-25, 16-25 Freeport wins
The Lady Chiefs will host Pensacola Christian Academy Monday. The junior varsity takes the court at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity at 6 p.m.
Photos by Kayleen Amerson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
McDavid Vehicle Fire Shuts Down Highway 29
September 25, 2014
A vehicle fire temporarily shut down Highway 29 in McDavid Thursday morning. There were no injuries reported. The Molino and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO Seeks Three For Questioning In Convenience Store Murder
September 25, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking to question three additional people in the September 13 homicide of a convenience store owner.
Investigators are looking for Willie Mae Thornton, 39, Devarian Tevion Weatherspoon, 19, and Brittany Janeisha Dixon, 20, for questioning only for the homicide of 50-year old Phuong Nguyen Truong.
Investigators had been looking for Dontonio Diaz Thornton earlier in the week. He has been located and has spoken with investigators. On September 13 shortly before 2 p.m, Truong was found deceased behind the counter at his place of business, the T M Food Mart located in the 1000 block of West Michigan Avenue.
Anyone with any information as to the whereabouts of any of these individuals is asked to call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Century Man Charged With School, Residential Burglaries
September 25, 2014
A Century man was arrested this week for stealing thousands of dollars worth of items from an empty Century school and local homes in a series of burglaries.
Taylor Blade Scott, 18, is accused of breaking into the former Carver/Century K-8 School, which closed in 2009. Once inside during the July burglary, Scott, allegedly took an ice machine, computer wiring, garbage disposal, two stainless steel sinks, four stainless steel garbage can boxes and an window air conditioner. The property was valued at $3,000, and damage to the building was estimated at $1,100.
The day after stealing the items, Scott and a second man allegedly sold the items at Advanced Environmental Recycling in Flomaton for $199.17. An arrest warrant is outstanding for the second suspect.
For the school burglary, Scott was charged with grand theft, burglary of an unoccupied structure and felony criminal mischief with property damage.
In August, Scott allegedly took a Stihl leaf blower valued at $400 from a shed in the 6800 block of North Century Boulevard. He later told deputies that he tried to pawn it but was only offered $80, so he sold it to a man in the parking lot of the Cash America Pawn Shop on Nine Mile Road for $100 “because he needed money’, according to an arrest report.
He was charged with grand theft and dealing in stolen property for the leaf blower theft.
Scott was also charged with an August burglary at a second residence in the 5800 block of North Century Boulevard. He is accused of stealing a 40-foot ladder, a bushwhacker, tools, a battery charger, jewelry, cell phones, and a .22 caliber gun.
He was charged with grand theft of a firearm, grand theft of dwelling, burglary, criminal mischief and two counts petit theft.
Sc0tt remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond due to a probation violation charge.
Bad Boys, Whatcha Gonna Do When They Come For You? Meet Century CI’s New K-9 Pups
September 25, 2014
They are cute. They are adorable. They are adorably cute. But they could also be your worse nightmare if you are a convict on the run, or a cute little blessing if you are lost in the woods.
These cute (have we mentioned that enough yet?) little puppies are K-9 tracking dogs in training in the Century Correctional Institution.
The Florida Department of Corrections has 38 K-9 programs statewide which are used to support other law enforcement agencies with felon apprehension, searching for missing persons and locating and providing aid to persons in distress.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Standing Strong: NJROTC Annual Inspection Held (With Photo Gallery)
September 25, 2014
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held Wednesday at the school, with cadets undergoing face to face scrutiny with a retired Navy commander.
Commander Merlin Ladner, USN (Ret) conducted the inspection. The day’s events began with a personnel inspection, drill demonstration and a pass-in-review in the school gym. The commander also conducted a financial record review, briefings, administrative inspections, supply inspections and more.
One by one, Cmdr. Ladner went face to face with each cadet, asking them questions about their NJROTC experience and conducting a complete inspection of their uniform.
“Yes, sir,” the cadets answered as they faced the questions about their NJROTC service, their ribbons, the shine on their shoes and some less than expected questions about every day life and football that left some cadets trying not to crack a smile.
“They did a very fine job this morning” said Ladner, who conducts annual inspections at dozens of high schools in the Southeast, told the entire group following his inspection. “And they are working their way to the top of my 50 or so units.”
Northview’s NJROTC is under the command of Senior Naval Science Instructor Captain Charlie Code and Chief Jeffrey Simpkins. The unit is led by Company Commander LCDR Lane Carnley and Executive Officer Cadet LT Sean Allister.
For a photo gallery from the inspection, click here.
Pictured: Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate, Ernest Ward, Northview, Flomaton Place In Cross Country Meet
September 25, 2014
Pensacola Christian and Milton took the top spots during a cross county meet Tuesday afternoon at Northview High School in Bratt.
There were 118 runners — 47 female, 71 male — that finished the race from Central, Ernest Ward Middle, Flomaton High, Milton High, Northview High, Pensacola Christian Academy and Tate High.
Results were as follows:
Female Teams
- 1st – PCA 41
- 2nd – Milton 58
- 3rd – Central 71
- 4th - Ernest Ward 178
- 5th – Northview 179
Top 5 Females
- Katylyn Buschman -PCA
- Lauren Cochran-PCA
- Emma Shows-Tate
- Isabella Potate –Milton
- Camryn Gilliard-Central
Male Teams
- 1st -Milton 30
- 2nd – PCA 38
- 3rd – Tate 94
- 4th- Central 135
- 5th – Flomaton 166
- 6th – Northview 231
- 7th - Ernest Ward 334
Top 5 Male
- Myles Osbourne-Milton
- Alex McDonald-Milton
- Dave Nolen –Tate
- Hunter Stewart-PCA
- Cody Price-Milton
Other results (provided by the school) were:
Top Northview 5 Boys
- Brandon Korinchak
- Heath Sheldt
- Joshua Borelli
- Austin Ates
- Zach Calloway
Top Northview 5 Girls
- Moriah McGahan
- Bethany Reynolds
- Mary Sullivan
- Jessica Barrows
- Tamara Barrows
Top Ernest Ward 5 Boys
- Brandon Sheldt
- Bryce Korinchak
- Shane Hardin
- Keaton Brown
- Alexander Floyd
Top Ernest Ward 5 Girls
- Addison Albritton
- Cailee Wilbirn
- Sierra Harrison
- Lexxi Baggett
- Anna Sullivan
Escambia Schools Focus On Student Athlete Transfer Policies
September 25, 2014
In order to improve e student athlete transfer process, the Escambia County School District is implementing plans to review procedures for high school student athlete transfer requests, and provide additional training opportunities for coaches and parents on Florida High School Athletic Association ) rules.
Malcolm Thomas, superintendent of Escambia County Schools, says that while these actions are a result of the recent events involving Escambia High School’s football program, they will benefit athletic programs across the county.
“When an event occurs that causes this much heartache and impacts so many students and faculty at one of our schools, it becomes our responsibility to take time to examine the situation to understand what can be learned, and make determinations to prevent reoccurrences in the future,” he said.
Several allegations have been made during and after the recent FHSAA investigation. Thomas pledged every complaint reported to a school or district official will be examined. If an investigation yields evidence of rule violations, self-reporting to the FHSAA will be required by the offending school.
“All reported incidents about student athletes who have transferred high schools are being thoroughly reviewed,” the superintendent said. “There will be consistency in enforcement of the FHSAA rules.”
“Training will be increased for athletic directors and coaches regarding FHSAA rules and procedures,” Thomas added. “The district will make a request for the FHSAA to utilize their expertise to facilitate training for all of our District coaches, whether they are new or veterans.”
Athletic directors from all area high schools provided input into the development of new Standard Operating Procedures for the reinstatement of a transfer student’s athletic eligibility. The new procedures began implementation in August 2014. An important change is the creation of a District Student Athlete Eligibility Review committee. The committee reviews requests and determines athletic eligibility for transferring student athletes. This increases consistency and removes the burden from individual schools, thereby reducing the amount of responsibility placed on athletic directors for transfer issues.
“By establishing this committee, students and parents will be able to submit a transfer review request form and receive a determination of whether the student athlete is eligible to play at their new school. Once that student’s eligibility has been reinstated by the committee, the student, parents and coaches will have the confidence that the transfer meets FHSAA requirements,” Thomas said.
A FHSAA information session will be offered for parents and guardians of student athletes to understand the rules, regulations, and procedures that could affect their student athletes’ eligibility. This information session will also be advertised to parents of middle school athletes, so they will know and understand the rules before they make high school commitments with, and for, their child.
Changes already underway include:
- Concerns about our current student athletes who have transferred high schools have been addressed, or are currently being reviewed.
- District athletic department leadership worked with athletic directors to create the Student Athlete Eligibility Review committee to review and reinstate a student’s athletic eligibility for any student athlete who transfers between schools at any time of the year.
- A Student Athlete Eligibility Review form has been made available online at http://ecsd.fl.schoolloop.com/SchoolChoice or at the Office of School Choice.
- Students, parents and athletic directors of transferring student athletes will be informed about the eligibility of a student athlete who has transferred.
The following steps will also be taken:
- FHSAA eligibility and compliance experts will be invited to Pensacola to provide training for all district athletic directors and coaches.
- While the FHSAA experts are in town, an information session will be offered in the evening to help parents of high school and middle school student athletes understand how to protect their students’ athletic eligibility.
- Parents of student athletes will also be directed to the FHSAA web site and the links for students and parents (www.fhsaa.org).
- Details (time/location) for the information session for families will be promoted via a call-out and through the local media.