Failing School Turnaround Bill Starts Moving In The Senate
April 2, 2013
A bill giving parents more power to decide the fate of failing schools returned to the chamber that defeated it last year, passing the Senate Education Committee on a party-line vote that previewed the fight to come.
The legislation (SB 862) — commonly known as the “parent trigger” bill — passed the panel on the 6-3 vote one day before the House is expected to take up its version of the measure.
It is the second attempt for supporters of the bill, which would allow parents to petition their school district to consider a specific turnaround option for a school that receives an “F” on the state report card for two consecutive years. If the district rejects the parents’ plan in favor of another one, the State Board of Education would choose which plan would be implemented. That board currently approves a district’s plan to overhaul failing schools.
Last year, the legislation died on the Senate floor on a tie vote. But many of the senators who voted against it are gone, having been replaced in some cases by lawmakers who are seen as more willing to support the bill.
Sen. Kelli Stargel, the Lakeland Republican sponsoring the bill, also said after the committee’s vote that this year’s version keeps many of the compromises approved last year to try to push the bill through.
“So I think we have much more support, not as many tweaks necessary,” she said. “I think a lot of what happened last year might have been more political than on the policy of the bill.”
Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Boca Raton, said the legislation was “last year’s homework.” But Sachs, who was part of the effort to kill the bill in 2012, wouldn’t directly address the perception that a more conservative Senate would support the bill.
“I think that the Senate is still the more deliberative body of the two,” she said.
The meeting had much of the same emotion that took center stage in last year’s battle. Critics say the measure is meant to allow for-profit charter school companies to bypass school boards and run sophisticated campaigns encouraging parents to sign a charter-friendly petition.
“This bill is a cynical political device,” said Kathleen Oropeza, co-founder of the advocacy group Fund Education Now. “It empowers us to do the grunt work, then mutes our voice.”
But supporters have said that parents should have a right to determine what happens with the future of their children.
“This is an option that is a statement by the parents within those failing schools that they see a problem, and they have a right to suggest a solution,” said Sen. David Simmons, R-Maitland.
The House version of the bill (HB 867) has moved more quickly, and the chamber will begin considering it on Tuesday. That could clear the way for a vote as soon as the following House session, currently scheduled for Thursday.
It is expected to be approved.
By The News Service of Florida
Santa Rosa Kids House 5K, Fun Run Is Saturday
April 2, 2013
In honor of April being Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Santa Rosa Kids House is hosting a 5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Run at NAS Whiting Field this Saturday, April 6.
Registration begins at 6:30 a.m., and the race starts at 8 a.m. The cost is $20 for early registration, or $25 day of the race. The first 200 entries are guaranteed a t-shirt, and awards will be given to the top finishers in all age groups.
Register early at the Santa Rosa Kids’ House, 5643 Stewart Street in Milton anytime, or during packet pick-up at the Kids House on Friday, April 5th from 4-6 p.m. For more information call (850) 623-1112 or email coordinator@srkidshouse.org.
Deputies Hunt For Murder Suspect After Woman’s Body Burned
April 2, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking to identify three people seen in the area about the time a homicide is believed to have occurred early Sunday morning.
The body of a 33 year old white female, Melinda McCormick, was found shortly after 2:00 am Sunday in a burning apartment at the Melei Apartments in the 3000 block of Mobile Highway.
The Sheriff’s Office has not released any further information about the circumstances leading up to McCormick’s death.
Those with information on McCormick’s associates or recent activities are asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Preconstruction Services Contractor Hired For New Ernest Ward Middle
April 2, 2013
A contract has been awarded to a Pensacola construction company to provide preconstruction management services for the new Ernest Ward Middle School.
The contract was awarded to Greenhut Construction Company to provide schematic designs, design development and construction drawings for the new school, to be constructed on the current EWMS campus.
The total cost for the preconstruction phase services will be $64,800.
The $16.5 million, 115,202 square foot building is currently being designed by Sam Marshall Architects of Pensacola. The new facility will replace the entire Ernest Ward campus, with the exception of the current gymnasium and football stadium.
No Injuries In Hwy 29 Crash
April 1, 2013
There were no injuries in single vehicle wreck south of Century Monday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 27-year old Daphne L. McCall of Pensacola was northbound about 7 a.m. on Highway 29 near Brown Road. She left the roadway and traveled into the median before over-correcting and running off onto the shoulder the road. Her 1997 Chevrolet Blazer overturned onto the driver’s side as the roof of the SUV hit several trees before the vehicle landed upright in a wooded area . McCall’s injures were minor; she refused treatment on scene by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol said McCall was cited for careless driving.
Pictured: There were no injuries in this Highway 29 crash south of Century Monday morning. Reader submitted photos by Brian Morgan, click to enlarge.
Greg Evers: Let Floridians Buy Ethanol-Free Gas
April 1, 2013
Sen. Greg Evers is calling for ethanol free gas for consumers that so choose.
Evers is proposing a bill to upend the 2008 law that all gasoline sold in Florida include ethanol, contending that the biofuel causes problems in boats, lawn mowers and old cars.
His efforts died last year in committee.
More Details Released In Century Stabbing, No Arrest So Far
April 1, 2013
Investigators have made contact with an alleged suspect and witnesses in a stabbing Friday in Century, but there have been no arrests.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 40-year old Alfreco Lett was stabbed in the shoulder outside of the suspect’s home in the 5800 block of Gilford Alley just before 1:30 p.m. Friday. Witnesses told deputies that Lett, who was highly intoxicated, became aggressive prior to the stabbing, according to the Sheriff’s office.
Lett, investigators said, was able to summon help from acquaintances who then drove him to a family member’s trailer in the 9500 block of Ivey Street.
The man was transported by ambulance as a “trauma alert” from the scene to the Century EMS post and then by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The Sheriff’s Office said his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.
The investigation is still ongoing and no charges have been filed at this time, the Sheriff’s Office said. The name of the suspect has not been released.
Anyone with information on the stabbing is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured top: The victim was airlifted from the Escambia County EMS Post on Industrial Boulevard in Century. Pictured below: EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the stabbing call at this trailer park on Ivey Street. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Educator, Principal Passes Away
April 1, 2013
A former local school principal has passed away. Pamela Henderson Mathis, 62, passed away last Thursday at her home in Century.
She was a lifelong resident of Century and graduated from Century High School in 1968. Despite a disability caused by childhood polio, she went on to become an educator for 32 years, earn a Masters’ Degree in History and a Specialist Degree in education. She was the first teacher in Escambia County to earn a National Teaching Certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She retired from education as principal of Ernest Ward Middle School.
A memorial service will be held Friday, April 5 at 6 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Boat Accident Kills One; Injures Four Others
April 1, 2013
One person was killed and four others injured in a boat accident Saturday in Santa Rosa Sound.
Gary Lowry, 61, was killed in the accident when his speedboat hit a wake and went airborne. The boat broke apart when it landed south of Shore Line Park in Gulf Breeze. Lowry’s son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Stephanie Lowry of Cantonment, both age 42, along with 33-year old Lauren Williams were injured in the crash. Scott Lowry and Williams remained in Baptist Hospital on Sunday; Stephanie Lowry was released Saturday. A fourth passenger was airlifted to a Birmingham hospital in unknown condition.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Softball Tourney To Benefit Wreck Victim Mark Shipps, Jr.
April 1, 2013
A Molino man and Northview High graduate is facing a long road to recovery from a March 24 wreck in Molino, and his friends are organizing a softball tournament in May to offset some of the family’s financial expenses.
Mark Allen Ships, Jr. was traveling west on Molino Road near Chestnut Road about 3:30 a.m. on March 24 when he crossed over the eastbound lane and onto the shoulder. He continued on the shoulder until he struck a cement culvert and cement embankment with the front of his 2002 Jeep Liberty.
At the time of the wreck, Shipps was returning home from a formal banquet for the Kappa Sigma Fraternity of University of West Florida. Shipps, a 2010 Northview graduate, is the vice president of the fraternity at UWF, where he is majoring in electrical engineering.
According to Shipps’ mother, Heather, Mark planned to spend the night with a friend in Pensacola. She said he apparently decided to come home because he was scheduled to work Sunday morning in the meat market at Piggly Wiggly in Davisville. He wrecked less than a half mile from his parent’s home.
Shipps’ injuries include intestinal damage, two broken femurs, bruised lungs and a fracture above his left eye, according to his mother. “Most of the damage was done by the seatbelt and airbag, but if he hadn’t had the seatbelt on he probably wouldn’t have survived,” she said.
He has undergone several abdominal surgeries to repair the damage, and rods were inserted in surgeries to repair his broken legs.
“Thankfully he did not suffer any head injuries,” Ms. Shipps said. “They have done CT scans and have found no injuries.”
“He is expected to make a full recovery,” Ms. Shipps said. “It is just going to be a long process.”
Junior Classic
The Junior Classic Softball Tournament will be held beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 10 and continuing Saturday, May 11 at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
It will be based on USSSA slow pitch softball rules, with three females on the field per team at all ties. There will be a two loss elimination in effect. Registration is $150 per team.
The event will also include food, music and more. Volunteers are needed in any form — from playing on a team, to umpiring and more. For more information or to register, contact Bradley Lowery at (850) 232-3205 or BJL0005@auburn.edu.
A benefit account has been established at United Bank in Atmore for Mark Shipps, Jr. The account information is: Mark Shipps Jr. Benefit Account, account #151892711, P.O. Box 8, Atmore, AL 36504. Checks should be made out to “Mark Shipps Jr. Benefit Account”.
The Junior Class Facebook page (click here) also offers more information.
Pictured top and bottom: Mark Allen Shipps, Jr. was critically injured in this accident at about 3:30 a.m. on March 24 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
