Levy 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
- Administrative officials listed with contact information under respective departments.[1]
- Meeting agendas posted.[2]
- Link provided to school accountability reports.[3]
- Labor contract is available.[4]
- Student development program[5] and progression plan are posted.[6]
[edit] The bad
- School board members listed but contact information is not provided.[7]
- Does not provide information on taxes, budget, vendor contracts, audits, and background checks.
- No information on how to make public records requests.
[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. [8]
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 are the school district board members:[9]
| School board member | District | Term | Term expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Asbell | 1, Bronson | ||
| Beth Davis | 2, Cedar Key | ||
| G. Frank Etheridge | 3, Williston | ||
| Paige Brookins | 4, Chiefland | ||
| Rick Turner | 5, Yankeetown |
Robert O. Hastings currently serves as Superintendent of Schools.
[edit] Teacher contracts
The Levy County School Board and Levy County Education Association have an agreement for 2008-2010 school year that outlines employee's rights, salaries and other LCEA contractual negotiation items. [4]
[edit] School budget
Levy County school district currently holds $50,245,000 for next years expenditures, divided up as follows:
- Instruction: $26,703,000
- Teacher Salaries: $17,142,000
- Pupils: $1,897,000
- Total Support Services: $16,455,000
In addition, there are 6,256 students currently enrolled in the district.[10] The school is also allocated a grant of $1,285,276 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.
[edit] Academic performance
[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.[11] To see results, click "show".
| School | Level | Grade: 2007-08 | Grade: 2008-09 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronson Elementary | Elementary | A | A |
| Bronson Middle/High | Combination | B | B |
| Cedar Key High | High | A | A |
| Chiefland Elementary | Elementary | B | A |
| Chiefland High | High | B | C |
| Chiefland Middle | Middle | A | A |
| Nature Coast Middle | Middle | A | A |
| Whispering Winds Charter School | Elementary | NA | NA |
| Williston Elementary | Elementary | B | A |
| Williston High | High | C | F |
| Williston Middle School | Middle | A | A |
| Yankeetown School | Combination | A | B |
[edit] Unions
The Levy County Education Association (LCEA) represent the teachers of Levy County.
[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.[12]
[edit] School choice
- See also: Florida school choice
The Levy County School Board website provides information on it's Controlled School Choice Program, which allows parents/guardians who are enrolling/have enrolled their child(ren) in the Levy County Schools the opportunity to choose the school their child(ren) will attend within established guidelines.
The School Board of Levy County recognizes that parental involvement is critical to a child’s success in education. Further, the Board recognizes the value of an educational system that provides meaningful choices and options for students and parents. The Levy County School Board intends to provide a variety of programs that afford students the opportunity to choose a school best suited to the needs of the individual student. [13]
Board Policy 5.02states, “Each pupil in the Levy County District is assigned to a school attendance area by the Board. If assignment out of the attendance area is desired, a request in writing must be submitted to the Superintendent for his approval. Transportation to and from school so requested must be furnished by their parent or guardian.”[13]
There are currently two Charter Schools in the Levy County School District, one of which are Recognized Charter Schools. The data below is based on information taken from a February 2009 survey. [14]
Coast Middle School is a Recognized Charter School and was awarded $5,100 in 2008. The school offers grade levels 6th-8th to 69 students.
Whispering Winds Charter School offers grade levels K-8th to 102 students.
In addition, the The Levy County Schools Foundation a 501(c)3 not for profit corporation expanded the ability of local businesses, community groups , and individuals to provide scholarships and fund special programs for Levy County students.
Providing scholarships for deserving students became a primary focus of the foundation, whose long-range goal is to see that every student who needs a scholarship to continue his or her education receives one.[15]
[edit] External links
- Levy County School District official website
- School Matters - Levy County
- School Finder - Levy County
- Great Schools - Levy County
[edit] References
- ↑ Departments
- ↑ Board Documents
- ↑ School Accountability reports
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 [1]
- ↑ Development Program
- ↑ Progression Plan
- ↑ School Board
- ↑ School board powers and duties, Florida statute
- ↑ School Board
- ↑ Levy County School District Information
- ↑ Florida School Accountability Reports
- ↑ Florida School Boards Association members list
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Public School Choice/Controlled Open Enrollment Plan
- ↑ Charter Schools by district
- ↑ The Levy Schools Foundation
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