Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
With the Governor's signature now firmly placed on House Bill (HB) 7069, the sweeping 270-plus-page education bill passed by the Florida Legislature in a special session, the fate of Madison County's schools is more uncertain than ever. Madison County Central School (MCCS) is one school that could very well be closed in favor of a charter school, operated by an outside charter school company, if the school does not show improvement in the coming school year. That was the message delivered by a concerned Dr. Karen Pickles, Madison County Superintendent of Schools, during the meeting of the Madison County District School Board on Tuesday, June 27. “[We] could receive a charter notice next year for MCCS. If a charter company applies [to operate the school], the Board has 60 days in which to reply, or risk losing funds,” said Pickles. “They [some teachers at MCCS] don't think there's a problem. They just don't get it. They say, 'DOE is not going to do anything. They've been here for years.'” School Board Chairman Bart Alford brought up the point that significant resources have been spent on curriculum and materials that simply are not being... used. In the schools where these materials are being used, the students are showing improvement. “People need to follow the curriculum or be written up,” said Alford. There are a number of things that can be addressed from the education bill. The District can apply for an additional $200 per student to be used for school improvement plans such as tutoring, etc. Anyone who doesn't think a charter company taking over the schools is a real possibility, need only look at neighboring Jefferson County. Jefferson County became the first district in the state in which the schools have been turned over to an outside charter school company. In the case of Jefferson County, the charter company is Somerset Academy. According to Madison County School Board Attorney Tom Reeves (who also serves as the attorney for Jefferson County Schools), approximately 40-50 percent of the teachers in Jefferson County were rehired by Somerset. Salaries for the teachers are higher, and they do enjoy a good benefit package. Those teachers do not participate in the Florida retirement program. During public comments at the beginning of the meeting, several citizens spoke in opposition of newly hired Madison County High School (MCHS) Principal Kip McLeod. A Ms. Hubbard stated she asked for justification for approving McLeod. “Your justification failed miserably,” said Hubbard. “We have to interview those who apply for the positions,” said Alford. Another citizen, Ms. Barfield asked if the position could have been re-advertised. Pickles responded to her question by informing her that only five applicants had applied for the position at MCHS, and that was after the position was advertised for an extra week. Another citizen, John L Davis, spoke up and asked how the District is marketing Madison County in order to attract the best administrators. “If we pay the Principal $80,000 then we should add another $15,000 to get them to come to Madison,” said Davis. After all the citizens had spoken for longer than their allotted three minutes, Alford thanked each of them for their input. In other business, the Board approved a trip for the MCHS cheerleaders to attend a cheerleading camp at Valdosta State University. J+J Strong was awarded the fuel bid for the upcoming school year. The award was passed unanimously. Brigitte Gudz was recommended for a position to work with the Energy and Power program at MCHS. This will require her to obtain additional training. The training and program will be funded by a grant from Duke Energy. The recommendation was passed unanimously. Personnel changes and staffing table revisions were approved unanimously. Permission to advertise for a Para-professional position at MCCS was granted. A resolution to use the salary schedule currently in place was passed. There was a public hearing on the Code of Student Conduct. Concern was raised about the possibility of pre-K children being suspended and sent home for disciplinary reasons. The Code was changed to alleviate pre-K children from being sent home. The Code was passed as amended. Following a public hearing, the ESE Special Programs and Procedures was also passed. VeEtta Hagan announced she would be holding a Town Hall Meeting for District 3. No date or time for the Town Hall meeting was announced. The date for the Tuesday, July 18 School Board meeting was moved to Monday, July 17, at 6 p.m. This was requested to allow the Superintendent and others to attend a mandatory meeting in Miramar, Fl. The rescheduling was passed on a 4 - 1 vote. Reginald Davis cast the dissenting vote. At the suggestion of Attorney Reeves, the Board voted to allow a suspended employee to be suspended with pay until their contract ends on Friday, June 30. The employee’s contract was not renewed beyond that date.