New York – (Business Wire) – Florida’s shift toward greater dependence on local taxes and modest increase in per-pupil funding are neutral for the state’s local school district credit quality, Fitch Ratings says. The move away from reliance on state appropriations is included in the state’s 2015 budget.
A Milton woman beat the qualifying deadline Friday and will face Santa Rosa County School Board District 1 incumbent Diane Scott in the November election.
The Santa Rosa County School Board recently approved adding six minutes to each school day for students. Locally, parents seemed more concerned about school start times than the additional instruction time. Holley-Navarre Primary and Holley Navarre Intermediate Schools both begin instruction at 7:30 a.m. West Navarre Primary and West Navarre Intermediate Schools both begin at 8:15 a.m. In contrast, Navarre High and Holley Navarre Middle School begin at 9:15 and 9:25 a.m. respectively.
The Santa Rosa County School Board approved June 10 the starting and dismissal times for the 2014-2015 school year. District officials added one minute to each of the six periods, totaling an additional six minutes per school day. That slight change will provide the district with enough classroom time to avoid having to make up schools days missed because of storms.
Students in school districts from the Florida Panhandle improved their scores on state end-of-course (EOC) assessments Algebra 1, Geometry, Biology 1 and U.S History.
A kids’ art program initiated by Santa Rosa County Tax Collector Stan Colie Nichols raised $18,000 for local school arts programs in its first year. Santa Rosa County School elementary art teachers encouraged students to design artwork for tags. Those tags were then offered for purchase, and proceeds will be used to fund the purchase of art supplies for the schools.
Three of Navarre’s principals were recognized recently as principals of the year as part of a statewide program that recognizes principals who demonstrate highly effective leadership. Liz West, BJ Price and Robert Trigg were all recognized with the award at the county level.
