South Florida Schools | Sun Sentinel blogs

Fleming hired as Palm Beach Atlantic University president

Tue, 08 May 2012 17:49:25 GMT

Palm Beach Atlantic University has a new president, but it’s a change that many people might not notice.

That’s because William Fleming Jr. has actually been in charge of the West Palm Beach-based Christian school for 14 months now, as interim president. During that period, the university’s Board of Trustees also conducted a national search that drew more than 80 applicants, and Fleming rose to top of the heap, said Gary Schroeder, who chaired the search committee.

“Bill embodies all of the traits that the search committee was charged with finding −a servant leader with a proven track record of management successes, who can lead a university into its next chapter of excellence,” Schroeder said.

He replaces Lu Hardin, who abruptly resigned in March 2011, days before his arrest on wire fraud and money laundering charges. Authority say he improperly gave himself a $300,000 bonus while president of the University of Central Arkansas, where he worked before coming to PBAU. Officials said audits revealed no similar problems at PBAU.

Fleming has a long history with at PBAU, arriving in 1992 as a vice president of development

“It has been my pleasure to work on a campus in which all collaborate to offer a Christian education and experience to our students to prepare them, in turn, to become leaders in their personal and professional communities,” Fleming said.

The university has made significant progress under Fleming’s leadership, officials said, citing an increase in enrollment and freshmen retention, a decrease in the student-faculty ratio and the inclusion as a “best” choice in U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review.

Palm Beach County teachers begin campaign for raises

Mon, 07 May 2012 19:00:35 GMT

Palm Beach County's teachers union is turning up the heat in its years-long quest to gain back experienced-based pay raises for its members. My article in today's editions previews the start of contract negotiations with the School Board.

The Classroom Teachers Association today unveiled a new platform called "Step Up for Step Raises" on its website. It covers the history of the raises, which were automatic until 2003. These raises were last awarded in the 2007-08 school year.

The union, led by President Debra Wilhelm, lays out its case for salary increases and says the money can be found by taking a hard look at the district's budget.

"All teachers need to join their union and become a part of asserting power and influence on school board members and encourage the School Board to demand that the Superintendent and his staff find money for step increases," the union website states.

"By focusing on step increases now, while the School Board, Superintendent, and his staff are developing the District Budget, it gives the School Board time to make teacher step increases a priority."

Palm Beach County School Board delays selection of Inspector General finalists

Thu, 03 May 2012 17:51:42 GMT

Plans are still on track for Palm Beach County schools to gets its first corruption watchdog. Or are they?

Pressed for time Wednesday, the School Board called for a one-week postponement of its planned selection of finalists for the new position of inspector general.

The board agenda was already packed with a two-hour workshop about juvenile justice programs and the controversial consideration of a recommendation to fire Suncoast High band director Ernest Brown. Read my story in today's editions.

Board member Marcia Andrews said she had some concerns about the inspector general search process and wanted more time to review it.

District administrators said a one-week delay would not negatively impact an established timeline to fill the job. There are eight qualified candidates, including school district Auditor Lung Chiu.

The board has set a June 6 vote to appoint the new inspector general to a four-year term.

UM, Lynn soar in social media rankings

Wed, 02 May 2012 18:20:40 GMT

We’ve seen those rankings telling us which colleges have the best academics, sporting events and parties, but who rules on Facebook and Twitter? There is now a list for that, and Florida is well represented.

In South Florida, the University of Miami ranked 18th among the top 100 social media colleges in the country, according to a new list by the website Student Advisor. The website credits UM for creating a Facebook page allowing fans to decide what jersey and hats the Hurricanes baseball team would wear on game day.

Lynn University ranked 43rd, thanks to its extensive use of social networking to engage students and the public for the October presidential debate.

Florida International University placed 64th, with special recognition to the College of Business for sponsoring “Social Media 101” workshops for students.

Others on the list include the University of Florida (14th), the Full Sail University in Orlando (19th) and Rollins College in Winter Park.

Topping the list was Harvard University, followed by Johns Hopkins University and the University of Notre Dame.

I’m sure the universities would be delighted if you tweeted this news or posted it on your Facebook page. Check out those options below.

And here are the Twitter and Facebook pages for the South Florida schools.

UM
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/univmiami
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/UniversityofMiami
Lynn
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/lynnuniversity
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LynnUniversity
FIU
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/FIU
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/floridainternational

Dwyer Awards all in the family for Jupiter High's DeLeonardos

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:00:09 GMT

Tuesday night's William T. Dwyer Awards for Excellence in Education delivered plenty of highlights for Palm Beach County teachers. Check out my story in today's edition.

But it was a really special evening for the DeLeonardo household.

That's because Tammy DeLeonardo won the award in the career education category -- 12 years after her husband Michael DeLeonardo won the prize for high school teachers. Both teach at Jupiter High. He teaches physical education and she teaches marketing.

"I'm utterly shocked right now," Tammy DeLeonardo said during her acceptance speech. She mentioned her husband's award in 2000.

Another poignant moment during the Kravis Center ceremony was a tribute to the late Therese F. Dwyer, who was a major education supporter along with her husband William T. Dwyer. A bouquet of roses was placed on the stage in loving memory of Mrs. Dwyer, who passed away last year.

Delay on changes for bookkeepers?

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:37:34 GMT

It sounds like Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie is rethinking his "rumored" plan to lay off bookkeepers and budgetkeepers in the elementary and middle schools.

Last week, the Federation of Public Employees told me that bookkeepers were losing their jobs. Union officials said that Runcie wanted to create a business support center to centralize their functions. The center would have had just 30 to 40 bookkeepers, down from about 152 in the schools now.

Runcie, oddly enough, dismissed the plan as a rumor. (See the district documents that seemed to suggest otherwise here.)

On Tuesday, Jeff Moquin, the chief of staff, said the district won't be "fully" implementing its plan for a business support center. Instead, he said the district will wait until the 2013/14 school year.

District officials will put a management team in place this year and then use the coming year to do "field testing" and address the concerns of the principals and bookkeepers.

Miramar teacher honored at White House

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:11:53 GMT

The ride is over for Florida’s 2012 Teacher of the Year.

Alvin Davis, a music teacher at Miramar High, lost the top honor – 2012 National Teacher of the Year – to Rebecca Mieliwocki, a teacher from California. Davis, who was Broward County’s Teacher of the Year, was one of four finalists for the national award.

Davis, along with the other state Teachers of the Year, was honored Tuesday during a Rose Garden ceremony at the White House.

Congratulations to Davis for all that he's accomplished.

Chasing "rumors" in the Broward School District

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:37:07 GMT

In case you missed it, Superintendent Robert Runcie called it a "rumor" last week that bookkeepers and budgetkeepers were being laid off from the elementary and middle schools. That was after both union officials and bookkeepers said it was true.

Well, judge for yourself. I was inundated over the weekend with emails from bookkeepers and school employees who said Runcie wasn't being entirely truthful.

Here's a copy of the memo I received from one helpful reader:

"INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BUSINESS SUPPORT CENTER

The District is proceeding with the implementation of the Business Support Center (BSC) for the 2012-2013 school year. The BSC will centralize the primary bookkeeping and budgetkeeping functions from schools. The District believes the BSC can provide these services in an effective, more cost-efficient manner, while reducing the administrative burden currently placed on our school-based administrators. This will allow our schools the opportunity to focus on the District’s core mission of teaching and learning.

1. For the 2012-2013 school year, the BSC will provide services to elementary and middle schools only, excluding year-round schools.

2. The primary business functions the BSC will absorb from schools for the 2012-2013 school year are as follows:

• Procurement
• On-line receipting of purchases, including the identification and documentation of fixed asset serial numbers
• All aspects of internal accounts
• All budgetary control functions, including budget transfers and school budget support with the Budget Department

3. District staff is working with the principals to identify the day-to-day operational needs associated with these functions and re-engineer business processes to ensure service is provided in an effective manner.

4. The District is funding the BSC by withholding the support allocation of the affected schools that is budgeted for the bookkeeping/budgetkeeping function. This equates to approximately $7 Million. The projected operational costs for the BSC are approximately $3 Million per year. An additional $1 Million will be utilized to allocate clerical support for those schools uniquely impacted by withholding the support allocation. The remaining $3 Million is being utilized to fill the budgetary shortfall associated with the loss of one-time funding used to balance the 2011-2012 budget. In subsequent years, the District will only withhold sufficient allocation to fund the actual operational costs of the BSC.

5. Although schools will continue to develop their individual staffing needs, there will not be a need to hire bookkeepers and budgetkeepers, as these functions will be absorbed by the BSC.

6. The District will create up to 50 positions within the BSC for which the existing bookkeepers/budgetkeepers may qualify. The District intends to fill these positions from the existing pool of bookkeepers/budgetkeepers impacted by the implementation of the BSC.

7. The District will notify all impacted employees in accordance with applicable bargaining contracts and timelines and work with the union for additional flexibility when needed in an effort to ensure the BSC is staffed from the existing pool of bookkeepers/budgetkeepers.

8. For the 2013-2014 school year (Year 2), the District anticipates to expand the BSC to include high schools, centers and year-round schools. Further, the BSC will absorb additional functionality such as property and inventory without further impacting the schools support allocation. Currently, there is no intent to impact the bookkeeper/budgetkeeper positions at the high schools. The BSC will merely augment the services at the high schools to remove administrative burden."

FAU president addresses proposed campus closings in memo

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:45:22 GMT

Florida Atlantic University’s expansive footprint through South Florida and the Treasure Coast will likely get smaller soon, and it’s understandably raising some questions and concerns.

University officials announced Thursday a plan to close two of its seven campuses: downtown Fort Lauderdale and Port St. Lucie and stop funding a third, SeaTech in Dania Beach.

On Friday, President Mary Jane Saunders outlined the plans in a memo to faculty and staff. FAU has also set up a website with questions and answers at fau.edu/financial/budget.

And at 2 p.m. Monday the university will hold a budget forum for faculty and staff in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.

Here is President Saunders’ memo:

FAU president addresses proposed campus closings in memo

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:45:22 GMT

Florida Atlantic University’s expansive footprint through South Florida and the Treasure Coast will likely get smaller soon, and it’s understandably raising some questions and concerns.

University officials announced Thursday a plan to close two of its seven campuses: downtown Fort Lauderdale and Port St. Lucie and stop funding a third, SeaTech in Dania Beach.

On Friday, President Mary Jane Saunders outlined the plans in a memo to faculty and staff. FAU has also set up a website with questions and answers at fau.edu/financial/budget.

And at 2 p.m. Monday the university will hold a budget forum for faculty and staff in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.

Here is President Saunders’ memo:

Bookkeepers being laid off in Broward schools

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:42:52 GMT

Quick update on the bookkeeper rumors: Union officials have confirmed that 152 bookkeepers and budgetkeepers in the elementary and middle schools are being laid off this year. Their last day will be June 30.

Jim Silvernale, of the Federation of Public Employees, said Superintendent Robert Runcie told him last Friday that this was coming.

District officials said Wednesday that no one was being laid off and no formal notifications had gone out. Apparently, that's not true.

The union said another 153 bookkeepers and budgetkeepers in the high schools and centers will be laid off next year. Their jobs will be replaced with a centralized system with 30 to 40 positions and possibly 20 accountants.

Most bookkeepers are women and are paid less than $30,000 a year. Marilyn Swank, a business representative for the union, said bookkeepers and budgetkeepers have played a bigger role in the schools because of the depletion of clerical staff. They've been answering phones in the front offices and dealing with the public.

"How are they supposed to get their jobs done knowing that on June 30 they're done?" she said.

Teacher explains desire for National Board certification

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:40:12 GMT

Only six Palm Beach County teachers achieved National Board certification in 2011, as I reported in an article in today's editions. Just four years ago, 129 teachers eaned it.

The huge decline is blamed on the state Legislature's removal of monetary bonuses in recent years.

But Ladys Argote, who teaches Spanish at Boca Raton High School, told me her desire to seek board certification was not driven at all by financial concerns. She just wanted to be a better teacher and help her students.

I asked Argote to explain her decision and her reaction to the news that so few teachers joined her in becoming National Board certified. In her own words:

"Many teachers choose to do the National Board for the incentive; others like me choose to do it because we want to become better teachers. I knew that the state removed the incentive for holding the certification and for mentoring but that did not kept me from trying to earn the certification. I was at a point in my career that I had the need to grow professionally.

I had a feeling that by doing the National Board I was going to learn at lot and that is something I value. For me, the incentive is something extra.

I’m very concerned that fewer teachers are not trying to achieve the National Board and for that reason, fewer students are exposed to high qualified teachers. Unfortunately, some teachers opted to do the National Board for the incentive. Now, teachers know that they are only going to get $2,000, and they might think is not worth it.

We have to keep in mind that we are going through a though difficult economic period and for that reason, many teachers are forced to have a second job after school. The certification is very rigorous, is very time consuming and we have to pay a fee to do it.

Regardless of everything that’s going on, I strongly believe that we should encourage more teachers to do it not for the money but for the students."

The end of block schedules in Broward high schools?

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:40:30 GMT

Superintendent Robert Runcie is holding a press conference this afternoon to announce changes to high school schedules for the coming school year.

From his previous comments, it would appear that this means the end of block schedules in some high schools. The press release says he will discuss class-size concerns and "the implementation of a uniform class schedule for high school students."

Runcie said in late March that he was working with the Broward Teachers Union on this issue. It'll be interesting to see what John Tarka, administrator of the BTU, agreed to. In the past, any mention of schedule changes brought protests from the teachers union, particularly former president, Pat Santeramo.

This is also likely to be a hot button topic for parents and teachers at the schools with block schedules. A block means the students take fewer classes a day. The classes typically are 90 minutes each instead of 60. For teachers, that means fewer students and fewer classes per day. For students, it means more time with a particular subject but less opportunity for electives.

The problem, as the administration sees it, is that blocks make it harder to meet class sizes. There's less room to play with in the schedules and fewer electives to pack with students. There also is an equity issue with teachers who teach more classes per day at traditionally scheduled high schools.

Teachers, parents: What do you think? Is it a good idea to get rid of block schedules?

FAU may close Fort Lauderdale, Port St. Lucie campuses

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:20:46 GMT

Florida Atlantic University could close down its downtown Fort Lauderdale and Treasure Coast campuses as a way to deal with $24.7 million in state funding cuts.

Dennis Crudele, vice president for finance, presented the options to the Board of Trustees Thursday. A hearing for faculty will be held Monday at 2 p.m. in the Lynn College of Nursing. The Board of Trustees expects to make a final decision in June.

The Fort Lauderdale programs would move to FAU’s Davie or main Boca Raton campuses by July 2013, while Treasure Coast operations would move from the Port St. Lucie option to the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce by July of this year. Tenure and tenure-track faculty would be moved to other campuses, but layoffs are possible for other employees, Crudele said.

The Fort Lauderdale closure would save about $1.9 million, while the Treasure Coast $1.7 million. This would bring the total number of FAU campuses down from seven to five.

The buildings may be sold to state colleges. Broward College has a campus next door to FAU’s downtown tower.

FAU would also strip the SeaTech campus in Dania Beach of its $239,000 in state dollars and require it to be self supporting through research dollars and other private funds.

The total cuts needed are $10.6 million after tuition increases and other revenues are factored in.

“These are tough decisions,” said Bob Stilley, chairman of the trustees. “The focus was on students and making sure we provide good opportunities for them to continue their education.”

Layoff rumors at the Broward School District

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:05:21 GMT

UPDATE: The union has confirmed that 152 bookkeepers and budgetkeepers in the elementary and middle schools are being laid off this year. Their last day will be June 30. Jim Silvernale, of the Federation of Public Employees, said Superintendent Robert Runcie told him last Friday that this was coming. The district said Wednesday that no one has been laid off.

We've been getting reports for two days now that bookkeepers and budgetkeepers in the elementary and middle schools are being told this week that they're being laid off.

So far, the district hasn't confirmed it. I've also left a message for the union.

I got this response from district officials Wednesday:

"The proposed organizational structure includes recommended title and reporting changes. These changes could result in layoffs in central administration. The proposed organization structure is slated to be presented and discussed at the April 24 School Board workshop. Although there have been preliminary discussions, no final decisions or formal notifications have been made. Schools budgets are just being rolled out this week, so no final decisions or formal notifications have been made.

A formative facts piece on the proposed structure is being developed. Will share when available."

Runcie said in March that he planned to hire teachers to meet the state's class-size law - and doing so would require cuts from the administration. See that story here.

He specifically mentioned cutting down on "redundant" jobs. From the organizational chart, it appears he's making good on that, especially within the administration. I hear that the plan for school bookkeepers is to get rid of the one-bookkeeper-per-school model, replacing them with a new position that would cover multiple schools and require a higher level of education. (See bookkeeper qualifications here.)

Again, district officials haven't confirmed this. If you're a bookkeeper who's been told that your job is going away, please call or email me.

Shake-up at the Broward School District

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:07:21 GMT

Superintendent Robert Runcie made it clear from the start of his tenure that he planned to make changes to the Broward School District's top administration.

We wrote about a few of those changes here and here.

Now it appears the big changes are coming. Runcie released his new organizational chart late Tuesday. By my rough count, it has about 33 new positions (some are just title changes) and consolidates some top jobs. (The board will be discussing it next week.)

This means layoffs, possibly extending to top administrators. I heard that supervisors are alerting affected employees this week. But, of course, the district tells me no such thing is happening. They also said they're developing a "formative facts piece on the proposed structure." (I believe that's education speak for a press release. Maybe.)

One major change is the consolidation of the area offices. Gone are the area superintendents - for those who don't pay much attention to the district's top leadership, that's a big change - and in their place is a single job, the "chief school performance and accountability officer."

Gracie Diaz, the district's head of HR, let it slip at the board meeting Tuesday that the position already has been filled by one of the area supers. Joel Herbst, an area superintendent who had been considered at one point a likely candidate for superintendent, resigned earlier this month. That leaves Desmond Blackburn and Sharon Airaghi.

Diaz also said some top administrators will have an "opportunity" to apply for the new jobs. (That's code for "their positions no longer exist.")

Each area superintendent has three area directors - that's nine total - below them. The new chart shows a much leaner office (check page 3) with just two directors. (Again, read: layoffs.)

Report touts benefits of state's third-grade retention policy

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:42:08 GMT

Courtesy of my colleague Leslie Postal at the Orlando Sentinel:

Florida’s policy of using FCAT reading scores to help determine whether students move beyond third grade has helped youngsters’ academic performance, according to a new study by the Manhattan Institute.

The study found that youngsters held back and then given remedial help — as state law requires — did better than those kids who just passed FCAT and moved to fourth grade.

“We find evidence that students remediated under the policy make large academic gains relative to their socially promoted peers—gains that are meaningful and sustained at least through middle school,” the report said.

The Manhattan Institute has done previous work finding that Florida’s retention policy — put in place during former Gov. Jeb Bush’s tenure — is a good one. The institute, which favors “economic choice and individual responsibility,” is also a fan of Bush, awarding him its “urban innovator award” in 2007 for ”his state’s comprehensive and influential education reform program.”

Florida’s third-grade retention law — which kicked in in 2003 — is controversial, as many educators (and parents) think holding kids back does more harm than good.

The study looked at students who fell right below the FCAT cutoff score — at least a 2 on the five-level test — and those who just passed. The difference amounted to ”one or two questions on the exam—differences that can be chalked up to luck, rather than meaningful differences in knowledge or ability,” the report said.

Students who were retained in third grade were doing better than the group that went to fourth right away even five years down the road, when they were in seventh grade. The difference was more substantial in the early grades, however.

You can find the full report here: Winters Marcus Florida’s Test-Based promotion system_CR 68

FAU College Republicans, Democrats to debate economy

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:44:33 GMT

President Obama’s visit helped energize Florida Atlantic University’s student political groups, with the College Democrats cheering and the College Republicans protesting outside.

Now the two groups plan to formally debate some of the economic issues the president brought up in his April 10 speech. The event will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday in the Sago Palm Room of the Student Union.

Club members will argue such issues as taxes, entitlements, the deficit and jobs.

And unlike President Obama’s visit, this political event is open to the public. No White House credentials needed.

Broward School Board accepts $250,000 deal

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:39:09 GMT

The Broward School District will receive about $250,000 in a settlement from a construction lawsuit.

Board members voted Tuesday to accept the payment from Houston-based Pierce Goodwin Alexander & Linville Inc. rather than continue with a suit filed in 2009. The district had alleged delays and damage in construction of Plantation High because of design errors made by the company.

Board member Laurie Rich Levinson abstained from voting because her husband’s law firm was involved in the case.

Crystal Lake Middle hosting walk-a-thon for student

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:53:01 GMT

Students at Crystal Lake Middle plan to host a walk-a-thon to raise money for an eighth grader who was diagnosed with leukemia.

The event is set for 10 a.m. April 27 at the school’s athletic field at 3551 NE Third Ave., Pompano Beach. Community members can offer their support by making donations or purchasing $5 bracelets and $2 pens from the school. All proceeds go to the student’s family.

The National Junior Honor Society is hosting the walk. The school’s phone number is 754-322-3100.

Broward School District could get $250,000 in settlement

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:11:42 GMT

A construction company has agreed to pay the Broward School District about $250,000 to settle a lawsuit over work done on Plantation High School.

Pierce Goodwin Alexander & Linville, Inc., based in Houston, was hired by the School Board in 1999 to design renovations to the high school. District officials filed suit 10 years later alleging delays and damages because of errors in the design. After multiple rounds of mediation, the company agreed to settle.

The Broward School Board will vote Tuesday on whether to accept the deal.

Protect incumbents? Not us.

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:21:21 GMT

The Broward School Board apparently objects to the notion that there were political motives behind its decision to include "protection of incumbents" in its guiding principles for redistricting.

My colleague, Anthony Man, wrote about the issue last month. He noted that it's not illegal, though it struck plenty of people as self-serving.

(Buddy Nevins from Browardbeat.com also wrote about it, saying the School Board is holding unfair elections. Read that here.)

Now the School Board wants to clear up the confusion with this agenda item. It suggests removing "protection of incumbents" from among the guiding principles because of the "recent misunderstanding of the meaning of 'protection of incumbents.'"

The agenda item doesn't explain what the "misunderstanding" was.

Obama brings out FAU school spirit

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:28:45 GMT

On Tuesday, it became cool to show your FAU school colors.

The university hasn’t been able to attract large crowds to his athletic events, despite the opening in October of a new stadium. But bring President Obama to campus, and the campus turns into a sea of red, blue and silver.

Maria Acevedo, a junior nursing student from Fort Lauderdale, showed up in her blue FAU Owls shirt. She said an e-mail from FAU encouraged students to dress in school colors, and she was happy to oblige.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Acevedo, 33. “I feel like I won the lottery. I did win the lottery.”

Indeed, about 3,500 students and staff at FAU were randomly selected in a lottery that drew 7,100 entries.

For many students, Obama’s visit was a full-day affair.

Obama wasn’t scheduled to speak until 2:55 p.m., but sophomore Shianne Miller showed up at 7:30 a.m. She was one of the first to arrive.

“I really wanted to see the president, and I thought I’d get better seats,” said Miller, 20 of Boca Raton.

Her long wait was actually unnecessary. The 3,500 students and faculty who were selected by lottery to attend the president’s speech already were given assigned seating sections. Some student volunteers and student organization leaders received prime seating close to the president, while others were chosen randomly.

But Miller said she still had a good time waiting outside the Arena.

“I’ve been checking my Facebook and Twitter accounts and talking to others out here,” she said. “It’s been pretty cool.”

Inside the arena, the students and others got an early start with their cheering, with many breaking out into the Wave about 2:40, followed by chants of “Four More Years,” “Obama” and “FAU.”

But not everyone on campus was cheering in support of the president. FAU’s College Republicans and several other groups were outside holding signs opposing Obama or his policies.

Jeff Arnold, 22, of Coral Springs, was wearing a shirt supporting Gov. Rick Scott, a vocal critic of Obama.

He said he was opposed to the premise of the president’s trip, which was to promote a proposal called the Buffett Rule. The president says it would create tax equity between millionaires and the middle class.

“I don’t think the administration should use taxpayer dollars for a blatantly partisan campaign trip to talk about an ineffectual policy,” Arnold said.

Arnold entered the ticket lottery to attend the president’s speech but wasn’t selected.

Broward Teachers Union VP charged with misdemeanor

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:30:14 GMT

File this under "missed while on vacation."

Bernie Schultz, first vice-president of the Broward Teachers Union, has been charged with a misdemeanor for violating elections law. The news broke last week while I was out of the country, but you can read reports on it (if you haven't already) from Bob Norman here and from Buddy Nevins here. (See the case summary here.)

For a refresher on the union's troubles, read my story from November.

Nurses for Palm Beach County schools approved

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:19:59 GMT

For 15 years, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County has provided full-time, registered nurses across the public school system.

And the arrangement is continuing through the school year, thanks to a renewal of a partnership Wednesday between the Health Care District and the School District.

The deal means: the Health Care District will spend $11.5 million to place more than 200 full-time nurses in 169 public schools. The School District is committing $2.5 million for the program. In all, it assures that more than 175,000 students will be treated for injuries, illnesses, and chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes.

“Thanks to our 15-year commitment to community health, students in Palm Beach County have graduated high school having had the full benefit of a school nurse on campus from kindergarten through 12th grade,” Health Care District Board Chairman Benjamin Frank said in a statement before a signing ceremony at Don Estridge High Tech Middle in Boca Raton.

School Board Chairman Frank Barbieri added: “It’s really important for student achievement that our children are healthy, so we highly value our school nurses.”