Hernando County School Board, Florida
From Sunshine Review
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Contents |
[edit] Website evaluation
- Main article: Evaluation of Florida school district websites
[edit] The good
- Budget and annual financial audits are posted.[1]
- School board members are listed with contact information. Meeting minutes and agendas available.[2]
- Public records request form is provided.[3]
- Union contracts are posted.[4]
- Administrative officials are listed with contact information.[5]
- Information on testing is provided.[6]
- School progress and accountability reports posted.[7]
- Information on use of background checks provided.[8]
[edit] The bad
- Does not provide information on vendor contracts and taxes.
[edit] School board
The school board controls school property, establishes, organizes, and operates the schools of the district, including: establishing schools, adopting enrollment plans, providing for school elimination and consolidation, cooperating with school boards of adjoining districts in maintaining schools, maintaining the school year schedule and other more specific duties as outlined in the Florida statute. [9]
It operates, controls and supervises the district's public schools as well as determines the rate of school district taxes, with the option of two or more school districts operating and financing educational programs together.
Below is a list of the school board members for 2009-2010:[10]
| Member | District | Term expires |
|---|---|---|
| John Sweeney, Vice-Chair | District 1 | 2010 |
| Pat Fagan | District 2 | 2012 |
| Dianne Bonfield , Chair | District 3 | 2010 |
| James Yant | District 4 | 2012 |
| Sandra Nicholson | District 5 | 2012 |
[edit] Superintendent dismissal
On August 27, 2009, the Hernando County School Board voted to end Superintendent Wayne Alexander's three-year contract nine months early. Wayne Alexander has been recently accused of nepotism, secretive efforts to find a new job, irresponsible budget recommendations and failing to oversee district staff.
Alexander's last day was Sept. 11, 2009 and he was paid an additional 30 days' worth of salary and benefits on that date.
"I will hold back my tears because what I really want to say is thank you to the four of you," Alexander said to the four board members in the room. "This has been a tremendous experience and I will miss all four of you."[11]
The Hernando County School's website added a survey to help in the search for a new superintendent of schools.
Currently, Sonya Jackson, is serving as the interim Superintendent of Schools.[12]
[edit] Teacher Contracts
[edit] School Budget
The latest budget information for the 2009-2010 school year was released on September 15, 2009. The FY 2009-2010 Estimated Revenues for all funds (excluding other financing sources and transfers) is $209.26 million, a decrease of $1.7 million or .82% less than the FY 2008-2009.[13]
Total Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), increased in FY 2009-2010 by approximately $5.1 million to $17,925,014,780. The District is receiving $774,608 more FEFP revenue than last year, which is due to ARRA or stimulus funds. The District will receive $7,556,321 in State Fiscal Stabilization Funds for K-12 Education and $32,591 for Workforce Education. Without stimulus funds the District’s funding would be down by almost $6.8 million from last year.[13]
[edit] 2008-2009
The total budget for the 2008-2009 school year was $170,608,061 with $104,114,163 dedicated to teacher salaries and $31,236,738 to employee benefits.[14]
The total revenue earned for the school from state and local FEFP funding was $155,487,182. Revenue for the school was segmented as follows:[14]
- FEFP: $58,446,715
- Categorical: $8,553,754
- Lottery: $1,679,065
- Local taxes: $62,899,686
- Class size reducation: $23,907,962
The Hernando County School District received $2,570,517 in Title I Grant allocations under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.[15]
[edit] Academic Performance
A recent 2009-2010 Tentative Budget submitted by former Superintendent of Schools, Wayne Alexander, acknowledges the academic achievements of FY 2008-2009. Wayne writes, "The District received a “B” grade under Florida’s State A+ Plan. Eight (8) elementary schools and two (2) middle schools earned an “A” in FY 2008-2009, which is two (2) more “A” grades at the elementary level as compared to the previous year. These results show outstanding improvement and reflect the strong commitment and effort of all staff to provide quality education to all students." [16]
[edit] 2007-2009
Below is a chart of the school's grade based on the student's performance of the statewide test called the FCAT.[17]
| School | Level | Grade: 2007-08 | Grade: 2008-09 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookville Elementary School | Elementary | A | A |
| Central High School | High | D | D |
| Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math | Combination | A | A |
| Chocachatti Elementary School | Elementary | A | A |
| D.S Parrott Middle School | Middle | A | A |
| Deltona Elementary School | Elementary | B | B |
| Eastside Elementary School | Elementary | B | A |
| Explorer K-8 | Combination | Not Applicable | B |
| Fox Chapel Middle School | Middle | B | B |
| Frank W. Springstead High School | High | B | B |
| Gulf Coast Academy of Science and Technology | Middle | A | A |
| Hernando High School | Combination | D | D |
| John D. Floyd Elementary School | Combination | A | A |
| Moton Elementary School | Elementary | B | B |
| Nature Coast Technical High | High | B | C |
| Pine Grove Elementary School | Elementary | A | A |
| Powell Middle School | Middle | B | B |
| Spring Hill Elementary School | Elementary | A | B |
| Suncoast Elementary School | Elementary | B | A |
| West Hernando Middle School | Combination | A | A |
| Westside Elementary School | Elementary | B | A |
[edit] Unions
According to the AFL-CIO website, Hernando County, Fla., teachers, jointly represented by the AFT and the National Education Association (NEA), approved a new contract offer that calls for a 6 percent raise.[18]
[edit] Lobbying
- Main article: Florida taxpayer-funded lobbying
The school district pays membership dues to the Florida School Boards Association, a taxpayer-funded lobbying association.[19]
[edit] School Choice
- See also: Florida school choice
There is currently one Charter School in Hernando County, which is also a Recognized Charter Schools. The data below is based on information taken from a February 2009 survey. [20]
Gulf Coast Academy of Science and Technology is a Recognized Charter School and was awarded $9,750 in 2008. The school offers grade levels 6th-8th to 115 students.
[edit] External links
- Hernando County School District official website
- School Matters - Hernando County
- Local School Directory - Hernando County
- School Finder - Hernando County
[edit] References
- ↑ Finance
- ↑ School Board
- ↑ Request Form
- ↑ Union Contracts
- ↑ Contacts
- ↑ Testing
- ↑ Parents
- ↑ Hiring Guidelines
- ↑ School board powers and duties, Florida statute
- ↑ School board members
- ↑ Dismissing its superintendent early, Hernando County School Board looks for steady leadership
- ↑ Interim Superintendent Sonya Jackson bring steady hand to Hernando Schools
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 2009-2010 Hernando county School Budget
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 2008-2009 Hernando county School Budget
- ↑ Grants to Local Educational Agencies - FLORIDA
- ↑ The District School Board of Hernando County, Florida Tentative 2009-2010 Budget
- ↑ Florida School Accountability Reports
- ↑ AFL-CIO NOW Blog
- ↑ Florida School Boards Association members list
- ↑ Charter Schools by district
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