New Brevard County superintendent addresses filling vacancies, improving school district
In his first weeks as Brevard County's superintendent, Dr. Mark Rendell, who was most recently the principal of Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School, is addressing another summer the district is challenged to fill vacancies.
Elections could shift ideology of Brevard County school board
One of the most tense Brevard County school board meetings in recent years, parents and family members demonstrated against the districtโs transgender guidelines, which in 2021 read that all students were allowed to dress, access bathrooms and locker rooms and play sports consistent with their gender identity.
Federal judge rules Brevard School Board speaker policies donโt violate First Amendment
An Orlando judge dismissed a lawsuit by the Brevard chapter of Moms for Liberty and four Brevard parents who said the School Board and Brevard Public Schools discriminated against conservative parents who criticized the board with its public speaker policy, according to News 6 partner Florida Today.
Rise in homeschooling threatens Brevard Public School funds, possibly education quality
Vanessa Ziade is trying to raise compassionate children. But she was concerned that her goal was being undermined as she watched vitriolic battles over mask mandates play out at school board meeting after school board meeting.
Brevard schools join pilot program to deter illegal bus passing with AI cameras
Safety technology company BusPatrol will partner with Brevard Public Schools for a pilot program meant to improve the effectiveness of cameras designed to catch drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses, the district announced.
Brevard school board discusses staff shortages, seminar accuse of teaching CRT
At Tuesday's School Board meeting, members passed new boundaries for some district schools, while some parents criticized an upcoming staff training as "extreme leftist" and a bus driver plead for higher wages to offset a driver shortage crisis.
Despite threats to board member salaries, Brevard Public Schools stick to mask mandate
Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran demanded that Brevard Public Schools withdraw its classroom facemask mandate by Wednesday morning or the Florida Department of Education would withhold School Board member salaries.
Legislation aims to change LGBTQ+ guidelines in Brevard Public Schools
VIERA, Fla. โ Tuesday nightโs Brevard County school board meeting drew supporters and opposition who often clashed vocally in the discussion about the districtโs guidelines for gay and transgender students and staff. School board member Jennifer Jenkins said a group speaking out against the guidelines for LGBTQ+ displayed, โso much hate towards a group of children.โ[TRENDING: Will coronavirus ever go away? AdThe guidelines allow students to use bathrooms and play sports that correspond with their gender identity. โLGBTQ students were brave enough to come here and stand up for their rights,โ Jenkins said. AdJenkins reiterated what the district continues to say - the LGBTQ+ guidelines follow the latest laws now.
Porn plays during Florida high school Zoom presentation
TITUSVILLE, Fla. โ A Zoom presentation for a Titusville High School class was cut short when someone gained access to the session and displayed pornographic material, according to Brevard Public Schools. [TRENDING: Massive fire breaks out at Orlando condo complex | 6 Dr. Seuss books canceled | Shaq, the big-time wrestler]After the hack, Titusville High School Principal Jennifer Gonzalez sent an email to parents notifying them about what happened. โAs soon as the discovery was made, the Zoom session was terminated by our staff and reported to administration. In April 2020, a man gained access to an online learning session for Wolf Lake Middle School and exposed himself, records show. The Sun Sentinel reports that a masked man hacked into a West Broward High School class and went on a racist rant.
Hereโs how schools, law enforcement are reacting to Floridaโs new vaccine group
ORLANDO, Fla. โ School employees and law enforcement officers over 50 years old will soon be able to get the coronavirus vaccine in Florida, according to Gov. โWe want that to be open not just to seniors, but to sworn law enforcement and classroom teachers,โ he said. FLAGLER COUNTYโFlagler Schools applauds the use of federal vaccine sites to serve our teachers and staff,โ a district spokesperson said. SUMTER COUNTYโIt is wonderful to hear that classroom teachers will be able to get the vaccine,โ a Sumter County School District spokesperson said. VOLUSIA COUNTYโVolusia County Schools supports efforts to get classroom teachers of all ages, who want the vaccine, to be vaccinated as quickly as possible,โ a district spokesperson said.
Brevard teachers, substitutes over 65 will get vaccine this weekend, BPS says
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Brevard Public Schools announced Friday it has partnered with the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to teachers, substitutes and other district employees over 65 years old. โWe wish all teachers can get it right now, but this is a great start,โ said Kyle Savage of the Brevard Federation of Teachers. Savage added that itโs great news knowing that was made possible at an event solely for senior teachers and staff from Brevard County schools on Saturday morning. Back in Brevard County, Saturdayโs vaccine event also happened as this 52-year-old reading teacher from Lyndon B. Johson Middle School in Melbourne died last month from COVID-19. More than 300 school employees got the vaccine, according to the district.
Brevard Schools to work with teachers to make sure they attend COVID-19 vaccination appointment
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Officials with Brevard Public Schools said they will accommodate a teacherโs schedule if they have a COVID-19 vaccination appointment during class. [RELATED: Hereโs how to register for the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida]Brevard County residents 65 and older will start receiving the vaccine on Jan. 4. People who qualify under these priority groups must make an appointment. The county opened a phone line on Dec. 29 for appointments but a day later switched to an online registration system due to demand. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6โฒs coronavirus newsletter and go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.
Former Brevard high school coach, teacher dies
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ A retired teacher and coach with ties to two Brevard County high schools died this week, according to officials with Brevard Public Schools. Randy Hallock retired from coaching at Astronaut High School in 2016 and at the beginning of this school year, he retired from teaching at Eau Gallie High School, according to the school district. [TRENDING: This woman received the first COVID-19 vaccine | Judge scolds theme park trespasser | Chuck Yeager dies at 97]โWe are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Randy Hallock,โ BPS said in a statement. โHe is known for his positive impact on the young people he served during his years with us. Our thoughts are with the Hallock family and our students and staff at both Astronaut High and Eau Gallie High as they mourn this loss.โEau Gallieโs head football coach Christopher Sands reacted to the news in a tweet Tuesday, writing โCoach, you touched so many lives.โ
Student brought gun onto Eau Gallie High School campus, officials say
EAU GALLIE, Fla. โ A student brought a gun in his backpack to Eau Gallie High School on Monday, prompting a brief shelter in place order on campus, according to Brevard Public Schools. The campus was put into a shelter-in-place status Monday morning as a result of a possible threat made on social media, according to BPS. A student was found with a gun in his backpack and taken into custody. Itโs unclear what the student is charged with. โAt no time were our students or staff in harmโs way and normal school operations continued through the shelter in place, which has since been lifted,โ BPS said in a statement.
Central Florida school districts experience hiccups with online learning platform
ORLANDO, Fla. โ School districts in Central Florida were reporting issues with their online learning platform on Monday, according to district officials. [TRENDING: Baby Yoda heads to space station | Highlights from SpaceX, NASA launch | Why did the giant rattlesnake cross the road?] Attention Elearners: We have been made aware of an issue with Classlink which is impacting multiple school districts. Brevard school district officials said the issue was being reported across multiple school districts. In it, district officials said Classlink engineers have reported some improvements since the initial issue was reported but are still working to resolve the problem.
Brevard Public Schools reopening Tuesday
Brevard Public Schools will reopen Tuesday, a day after campuses were closed due to Tropical Storm Eta. Schools were closed Monday due to a tropical storm warning for the county. As of noon Monday, only the coast of Brevard was under a warning. โThe tropical storm warning for Brevard County has expired. With that in mind, Brevard Public Schools will resume normal operations on Tuesday, November 10,โ BPS said in a news release.
Shelter in place lifted at Cocoa High after โvague cyber threatsโ
COCOA, Fla. โ A shelter in place was ordered for Cocoa High School Wednesday afternoon due to โvague cyber threatsโ made through e-learning platforms, Brevard Public Schools officials said. A shelter in place means that school operations can continue as normal but no one is allowed to enter or leave campus until law enforcement officers give an all clear. The order was lifted around 2 p.m.[TRENDING: โSmell of rotting fleshโ leads to body in trunk | How to celebrate Halloween during pandemic | 98 โmurder hornetsโ removed]"We are currently investigating suspicious incidents involving Cocoa High and Endeavour Elementary. Vague cyber threats made through the e-learning platforms. Earlier on Wednesday, Pine Ridge High School was placed on lockdown after administrators received an anonymous tip through Fortify Florida indicating that someone was planning to bring a weapon on campus.
Melbourne High football team in quarantine after positive COVID-19 test
MELBOURNE, Fla. โ Brevard Public Schools officials said the Melbourne High School football team will enter quarantine after a person affiliated with the team tested positive for the coronavirus. As a result Melbourne High will forfeit their next two games planned against Cocoa High on Friday and Viera High on Oct. 16. The Department of Health has notified all staff and families of students who were in close contact with the person who tested positive and asked to quarantine for 14 days. BPS officials said areas where the football team congregated will undergo deep cleaning and sanitizing. According to the BPS COVID-19 dashboard, prior to Tuesday Melbourne High had two people in quarantine.
Brevard elementary school set to reopen after closing due to coronavirus
COCOA, Fla. โ Following a three-day closure due to coronavirus, a Cocoa elementary school will reopen Monday, however, Brevard Public School officials have not said how many cases were tied to the campus. According to the BPS COVID-19 dashboard, nine people associated with the school were recently asked to quarantine due to possible exposure to the virus. There were 30 positive virus cases reported last week at Brevard Public Schools, Enterprise Elementary was on the list of schools with confirmed cases. [TRENDING: Florida moves to phase 3 of coronavirus reopening | New Jurassic World coaster announced ]The school district has not disclosed how many of those positive cases were tied to Enterprise. District officials said the situation related to โsingle cases in multiple classrooms.โThe school underwent deep cleaning and BPS officials said the campus is ready for students to return Monday morning.
Brevard elementary school campus closes after positive COVID-19 cases
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Brevard Public Schools announced Enterprise Elementary School in Cocoa will be closed for the rest of the week due to positive cases of coronavirus. The district said families of students are being notified on Wednesday and parents should not have their child attend school on campus on Thursday and Friday. School officials said the closure impacts all school programming including bus service and after school care. School officials said the department of health has notified the families of all students who were in close contact with the people who tested positive for COVID-19, they will have to quarantine for two weeks. BPS said students and families who did not get a letter from DOH were not found to have close contact with people who tested positive for coronavirus.
Golfview Elementary to remain closed for another week due to COVID-19 cases
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Golfview Elementary Magnet Schoolโs campus will remain closed for at least one more week due to COVID-19 cases reported at the school, according to officials with Brevard Public Schools. In Mondayโs update, school district officials said they made the decision to keep campus closed another week so that those infected with the virus can make a full recovery. The initial three-day closure announced last week came after multiple cases of the coronavirus were reported on campus, school officials said. School officials did not disclose how many cases have been reported, only saying it was a โlow number,โ but it could impact many classrooms. COVID-19 cases reported in Central Floridaโs schools can be monitored using this database.
Brevard elementary school closes due to COVID-19 cases
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. Brevard Public Schools announced Tuesday the temporary closure of Golfview Elementary School due to a rising number of coronavirus cases. School officials did not disclose how many cases have been reported, only saying it was a low number, but it could impact many classrooms. James Neave and his grandson, who is in second grade, dropped by Golfview Elementary Magnet School on Wednesday to pick up some of his books. Any time that a closure is being discussed its because there are single cases in multiple classrooms. School officials said crews be conducting a deep clean of Golfview Elementary.
Brevard Schools reports 6,500 unregistered students at end of first week of school
VIERA, Fla. Following its first week of classes, Brevard Public Schools said 6,700 students remain unaccounted for and are not registered for in school or learning at home options. The Brevard County teachers union called the unregistered numbers a reflection of parents who are questioning the safety of reopening plans amid the pandemic. The teachers union said that since Monday, there have been confirmed coronavirus cases in schools including both teachers and students. The school district did not comment on questions related to cases. School leaders did say that the longer students wait to report their enrollment plans, the more concerned the district becomes.
COVID-19 pandemic getting better in Brevard County, health officials say
VIERA, Fla. In a press conference of emergency leaders Thursday, the administrator of Brevard Countys health department said there are fewer coronavirus cases being reported than earlier this summer. Also new in Brevard County since the last government update, is the return to school. Brevard Public Schools said Tuesday that 14,000 fewer students showed up for the first day this year compared to last year. Those interested in applying for assistance are asked to contact the county by calling 2-1-1 Brevard or by going to the countys website. Brevard Public Schools are expected to provide an update Friday on school enrollment numbers.
Brevard school enrollment numbers shows drop of thousands of students
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. Numbers from the first day of classes in Brevard Public Schools showed a drop in enrollment of more than 14,000 students. Numbers from Brevard Public Schools show a drop of more than 14,000 students from the same time last year. But school board member Tina Descovich took a different approach to the numbers. That changes the look of Brevard Public Schools.If that continues to maintain, absolutely, Mullins responded. According to a BPS report discussed at the meeting, a worst-case scenario could see Brevard schools losing $22.4 million.
15 positive cases reported at Brevard County schools in weeks before start of year, union says
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ There were 15 cases of COVID-19 reported at 12 different Brevard County schools in the weeks leading up to the start of the school year, the Brevard Federation of Teachers union said. In a news release Monday evening, teachers union officials reported the results of a public records request filed with Brevard Public Schools for the numbers of positive cases among district employees and the school sites where they worked. Between Aug. 7 and Aug. 20, at least 15 school employees were diagnosed positive for COVID-19 at 12 sites throughout the county, News 6 partner Florida Today reports. The release came the same day Brevard County students reported for the first day of class. The state union argued the order ran afoul of a mandate under the Florida Constitution that students are entitled to a โsafeโ and โsecureโ learning environment.
Pallets of PPE being delivered to Brevard County schools this week
ROCKLEDGE, Fla. Brevard Public Schools shared pictures inside its supply warehouse with pallets of masks, gloves, wipes, hand sanitizer and more personal protective equipment that the district said is headed to every school by Friday. The district said to this point, all schools have at least received some of the personal protective equipment and supplies theyve ordered. Fearing the district's supplies might not have made it before the first day, the Brevard County teachers union said it ordered its own PPE for teachers. "Because our teachers need it now," Brevard Federation of Teachers Second Vice President Jonathan Hilliard said. pic.twitter.com/8ayhUwp0Ig Brevard Schools (@BrevardSchools) August 18, 2020Sealed with their names, inside envelopes at the union's offices in Rockledge were 500 masks for teachers like Lucha Hunt.
Brevard Public Schools hiring bus drivers before start of new school year
VIERA, Fla. Hundreds of Brevard Public Schools bus drivers will have new responsibilities under the school districts reopening plan due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. News 6 asked, given the circumstances, if there are bus drivers choosing to not come back this year. The districts media and publications specialist said theres always a need for bus drivers. "We haven't experienced anything above what normal attrition would be just like in any profession, and our bus drivers are ready to see their kids," Katherine Allen said. To become a Brevard Public Schools bus driver, applicants can call the numbers listed at this link.
Brevard school board set to vote on making mandatory mask policy official
VIERA, Fla. Thirteen days before Brevard County students start school, Brevard Public Schools continues its conversation about masks. In a district workshop Tuesday morning, school board member Matt Susin responded to what he said were those who do not plan to wear masks in schools. Were making this policy so that we can stay in school.Public schools in Brevard County reopened Monday for teachers. The school board is asking more students to get a ride to school if they can. The school board is scheduled to formally adopt requiring masks for most students and staff with a vote at its meeting Tuesday night.
Bayside High grads asked to quarantine after COVID-19 case reported at graduation
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. Nearly 300 recent Bayside High School graduates and their guests have been advised to quarantine after health officials said an attendee at Saturday's commencement ceremony had COVID-19, a school district representative said. Families were notified about the case Monday in a letter from the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County, according to news partner Florida Today. FLORIDA TODAY has reached out to the Health Department for more information. An exact count of how many people have been impacted was not immediately available, Brevard Public Schools spokeswoman Nicki Hensley said. She declined to give information about the person referenced in the Health Department letter, citing medical privacy laws.
Brevard teachers union not confident schools are ready to reopen safely
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. After two rounds of special negotiations due to COVID-19, the Brevard Federation of Teachers said Brevard Public Schools is not committed to safely going back to school. "We are not confident that these schools are ready to reopen safety," union president Anthony Colucci said. In Brevard Public Schools reopening plan, supplies like hand sanitizer are supposed to be in every classroom. Brevard Public Schools chief negotiator said teachers and their well being is the districts top priority. Dr. Kayrle Green said both sides have found common ground with pushing back the first day of school to Aug. 24.
First day of Brevard teacher contract talks fizzles with no agreements
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. The first day at the bargaining table fizzled with no agreements and little progress toward the 2020-21 Brevard County teacher contracts, News 6 partner Florida Today reports. With teachers set to return to schools in less than three weeks, leaders from both sides noted the urgency of the talks. "We still need to bargain salary and health insurance and normal things," Skipper said. "If we're still kind of stuck ... that's going to put us dangerously close to when students and teachers are going to be on campus." The safety of our students and staff is our top priority.News 6 partner Florida Today reported on this story
State order requiring schools to open doesnt mean much for Brevard Public Schools
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. Local school district and teachers union representatives say a new state order requiring public schools to physically open in August likely will not impact Brevard Countys school reopening plan, News 6 partner Florida Today reported. However, the order was not expected to have a substantial effect on plans in development by Brevard Public Schools, school district spokeswoman Nicki Hensley said Tuesday. Hensley said Brevard Public Schools will continue to offer online or distance learning for families uncomfortable with sending their kids back into classrooms. The workshop will be livestreamed on the Brevard Public Schools website and its official social media pages. While the order doesn't change much for Brevard schools, Belford still called the shelving of options "somewhat unnerving."
Brevard Public Schools announces plans ahead of July graduation ceremonies
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. On Thursday, Brevard Public Schools announced its plans to hold graduation ceremonies for each of its high schools. All of the ceremonies will be held outdoors with strict adherence to social distancing guidelines and additional district-mandated health and safety protocols. During the ceremony, students will be seated six feet apart throughout the events duration, as will their guests. More details will be released by each school the week of July 6, along with a complete list of graduation health and safety procedures. A schedule of school graduation dates and times is provided below:
Brevard Public Schools extends meal distribution through July
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. Brevard County families who have felt the negative financial impact of the COVID-19 crisis can continue to pick up free meals for students through the month of July. Brevard Public Schools announced Tuesday that it was continuing its efforts to help children in need. It has been an honor to provide nutritional continuity and lessen the food insecurity concerns for our Brevard families throughout our school closures and now through the month of July, said Kevin Thornton, the director of food and nutrition services at Brevard Public Schools. The following sites will provide meals Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. until June 30. On that day, students will receive four days worth of meals since sites will be closed July 1 through July 3 for the Fourth of July holiday:Atlantis Elementary SchoolCambridge Elementary SchoolCape View Elementary SchoolCoquina Elementary SchoolDiscovery Elementary SchoolGolfview Elementary Magnet SchoolHarbor City Elementary SchoolMila Elementary SchoolMims Elementary SchoolOak Park Elementary SchoolPalm Bay Elementary SchoolSaturn Elementary SchoolSherwood Elementary SchoolTurner Elementary SchoolUniversity Park Elementary SchoolBeginning July 6 through July 31, distribution will take place at the following schools from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: