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WEATHER ALERT

RICHARD CORCORAN

Gov. Ron DeSantis seeks $1,000 payments for in-person teachers, principals

Ron DeSantis is requesting the Florida legislature approve $216 million to provide $1,000 bonuses for principals and classroom teachers. DeSantis made the announcement at Palm Harbor University High School in Pinellas County Wednesday afternoon. DeSantis did not mention virtual or online-only teachers in his request for bonuses. Some parents have said they plan to opt out of in-person testing to keep their students home due to pre-existing conditions. The Orange County Classroom Teacher’s Association said following the announcement that teachers are happy for the bonus, but it fails to address long-term priorities with education.

Florida schools will have more time for standardized testing

The executive order issued Monday suspends certain Florida statutes regarding testing to allow schools to modify testing schedules for spring 2021 by two weeks. Florida schools in nearly all 67 counties welcomed students back for in-person learning in August after closing due to the coronavirus pandemic last spring. According to the executive order, 1.85 million or approximately 65% of all Florida students are learning in person. Here’s how Florida school testing now looks under the extension: Grade 3 English language arts and reading testing will run from April 3-20. AdWith this modification of the spring 2021 testing windows, results will also be released later than Florida statue records, according to the executive order.

Florida schools to ‘stay the course’ following CDC guidance on reopening schools, education commissioner says

Reacting to the long-awaited CDC guidance, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran released a statement saying Florida’s schools have been operating safely since August 2020 and will continue to do so. “CDC guidance is informative, although Florida school districts, public charter schools and private schools should stay the course they began in Summer 2020. Each school district in Florida had to submit a reopening plan to the Department of Education last summer itemizing their COVID-19 safety protocols. Orange County’s summer school will be open five days a week “because of extensive learning loss over the past 11 months,” the district announced earlier this week. OCPS deputy superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez said students learning at home have struggled during the pandemic academically, socially and emotionally.

Central Florida school districts respond to governor’s education plan for spring semester

Another change leaders explained going into the spring semester is regarding students struggling with online learning. Under the new executive order, all Florida school districts and charter schools must submit a new learning plan to the Department of Education by Dec. 15. For those virtual students who are not making adequate progress, we are asking them to return to in-person instruction. Flagler CountyFlagler County school officials say they’re also encouraged by the new executive order. In addition, all school districts will continue to offer virtual learning platforms as an alternative option for families.

Florida’s COVID-19 spring education plan: No school closures, intervention for struggling virtual students

Ron DeSantis revealed changes to Florida’s education plan for the spring 2021 semester as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Speaking in Kissimmee Monday afternoon at Boggy Creek Elementary School, DeSantis said virtual and in-person learning options will remain available but with several changes. Schools across the U.S. have reopened but amid a rising surge in COVID-19 cases, individual schools and entire school districts have been forced to close again. School districts had been waiting on guidance from the state about whether online options could continue to be funded. “Parents must be notified if a student is struggling with virtual learning,” DeSantis said.

Appeals court refuses to revisit Florida school reopening ruling

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – An appeals court Monday refused to reconsider a decision that backed Gov. The plaintiffs in October asked for a rehearing before a three-judge panel or by the full appeals court, a request known as seeking an “en banc” hearing. The Tallahassee-based appeals court posted the orders online Monday afternoon, shortly after DeSantis and Corcoran held a news conference in Osceola County announcing plans for the second half of the school year. In his Aug. 24 ruling that granted a temporary injunction, Dodson said the order left school districts with “no meaningful alternative” about reopening classrooms. But the panel of the appeals court overturned Dodson’s ruling on a series of grounds.

Remote learning will be allowed in spring, Florida education commissioner says

Seminole County Superintendent Walt Griffin previously asked Florida’s Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran to forgo school grades for the 2020-2021 school year because of the circumstances created by the pandemic. In fact, Corcoran said the Florida Department of Education plans to continue all three learning options for parents: Florida Virtual School, face-to-face learning and each district’s distance learning method. Under an emergency order for the fall 2020 semester by the Florida Department of Education all school districts could offer virtual learning options as long as they offered face-to-face education. School districts had to submit their reopening plans to the state for approval. Central Florida school district officials said after Wednesday’s decision that they hope to receive the same state funding for remote learning in the spring as they did in the fall semester to continue making it an affordable option.

OCPS teachers to receive pay increase, union says

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County Public School teachers will receive a pay increase, according to the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association. | News 6 anchors share drama stories]The union said a base salary for full-time teachers who make less than $47,500 will be brought up to at least $47,500. Any teacher who makes more than this will get a bump of 1.27 percent in their salary, according to the union. Ron DeSantis signs bill that would provide over $500 million to raise teacher salaries]Back in June, Gov. DeSantis signed a bill saying base salaries of K-12 classroom teachers would be at $47,500 for public school teachers in Florida.

OCPS medical committee asks education commissioner to allow virtual learning in spring

“Without a virtual platform, students' ability to access their curriculum and make effective progress would be significantly impacted,” Dr. Vincent Hsu, the medical advisory committee chair, writes. Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Barbara Jenkins commended the medical advisory committee’s continued efforts to safeguard OCPS students and staff. Two doctors on the medical committee Thursday explained why virtual learning is key through the pandemic. School districts had to submit their re-opening plans to the state for approval. A spokesperson for the Department of Education said the department has received similar questions and suggestions from other school districts around the state.

Seminole County superintendent requests eliminating school letter grades due to COVID-19

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County Superintendent Dr. Walt Griffin sent a letter this week to Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran requesting to forgo school grades in 2021 due to the difficulties presented by the coronavirus pandemic. “This letter is a respectful request to consider not assigning 2021 school grades and teacher valued-added scores due to the unprecedented educational impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Griffin wrote, adding this would help lift one layer of anxiety from "an already overwhelmed educational system. Using school grades for the 2020-21 school year may result in misrepresentation of student and school achievement this year, Griffin wrote. The superintendent’s proposal comes as the school district sent an email to families Wednesday notifying them of surveys about the next semester. In the survey, families will be asked whether they would continue with in-person learning or online given the option.

Should Florida students continue virtual learning next semester?

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida’s education leader says he hopes to have a decision on whether students can continue virtual learning next semester by sometime in November. Richard Corcoran, Florida Education Commissioner, toured Florida Virtual School in Orlando on Monday with U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. DeVos had high marks for what Florida Virtual School had accomplished. She also praised the state’s school districts' abilities to adapt to online learning in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but she said in-person learning is still the preferred method of education. He said if the state does not extend the emergency declaration or include virtual learning at the district level, some parents may feel forced to enroll their children in private virtual schools.

Appeals court sides with Florida in school reopening fight

School districts assign teachers to classrooms and approve or deny their requested accommodations. In his Aug. 24 ruling granting a temporary injunction, Dodson said the order left school districts with “no meaningful alternative” about reopening classrooms. But because the commissioner exercised his discretion to provide waivers from the funding statutes and rules, school districts were eligible to receive increased funding. The appeals court decision said Corcoran’s order gave school districts discretion about how to handle the situation. And so, whether a school district assigns them to in-person or online instruction is a matter between those teachers and their employing school districts.”

High School football kicks off in Florida

High School football kicked off for some private schools in Central Florida. This was the first time some high school athletes have had a chance to play since the middle of March. Public schools in Central Florida are expected to start the football season later this month. #FridayNightLights in Florida line of the night: @GovRonDesantis during pre-game locker room speech, If you all lived in California, do you know where youd be tonight? Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran and Gov.

‘Parental choice works:’ Florida governor, White House task force doctor tout reopening schools

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida education leaders joined the governor and medical professionals Monday to reinforce the state’s stance on reopening schools and allowing in-person learning during the coronavirus pandemic. Do the virtual, and really not fall far behind,” DeSantis said about the enhanced virtual opportunities available to students. Atlas was making at least three stops with DeSantis around the state Monday, including in Tampa and The Villages. “If you have a cough you’re three times as likely to spread than if you don’t have a cough,” he said. “We have the data, there’s extraordinarily low risk in children, there’s extraordinarily very low risk in everybody else in the school.

Student tests positive for COVID-19 at Tohopekaliga High School; 22 in quarantine

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A student at Tohopekaliga High School has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting officials to ask an additional 22 students to quarantine, according to the Osceola School District. Cloud has had to shut down its campus entirely for two weeks after 10 teachers tested positive for the deadly respiratory illness. Ron DeSantis’ stance that children are less at risk for becoming seriously ill if they contract COVID-19. “You have to remember, the children have no serious risk from this disease, it’s very safe for them. According to the Florida Department of Health, 48,928 children across the state have tested positive for COVID-19 since March and eight pediatric deaths have been reported.

Ruling on reopening Florida schools put back on hold

The unions argue that Corcorans order violates the Florida Constitutions guarantee of safe and secure public schools. After the appeals court put Dodsons ruling on hold Friday, Florida Education Association President Fedrick Ingram released a statement vowing to continue battling the state over the issue. This is not about closing schools or opening schools. The states lawyers pointed out that Florida law bases district funding on surveys of the number of children in schools. Corcorans emergency order waived the funding requirements for school districts that submitted reopening plans approved by state education officials.

Judge sides with Florida teachers, rejects putting schools ruling on hold

Siding with teachers unions, a Leon County circuit judge Thursday lifted a stay of his earlier ruling that a state order requiring schools to reopen in August is unconstitutional. Under law, that notice of appeal automatically placed a stay on Dodson’s ruling --- effectively putting it on hold until the Tallahassee-based appeals court can resolve the case. Late Tuesday, attorneys for the Florida Education Association and the Orange County teachers union asked Dodson to lift the stay. In Thursday’s order, Dodson scolded the state for misrepresenting his temporary injunction. What the order did, for the reasons stated, is require that local school districts be given authority under their individual circumstances to open or close the local schools, based on local conditions,” the judge wrote.

State files notice to seek appeal in legal battle over reopening Florida schools

The filing of the notice means an automatic stay will be granted on the judges order, according to the notice. Attorneys for the Florida Education Association presented arguments last week saying that its unsafe for campuses to be open amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. A Florida Department of Education emergency order requiring that brick-and-mortar schools open in August was at the center of the weekslong legal battle. In Central Florida, school districts leaders said that as of Monday night, they didnt intend to make changes to their school reopening plans. Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins said the ruling could be discussed at the school boards Tuesday night meeting.

Here’s what the teachers union lawsuit decision means for Central Florida schools

News 6 reached out to local school districts to see if they plan on changing their strategy. Several school districts said they are reviewing the judges order and it’s too early to say. Marion CountyA spokesperson with the Marion County school district pointed to their delayed start date, saying they’ve started the school year two weeks after originally planned. Osceola County“The Osceola School District will continue to offer three options: face-to-face learning, digital learning, and Osceola Virtual School,” a spokesperson said. This story will be updated as more school districts respond.

Judge sides with Florida teachers union, says districts should decide if schools should reopen

ORLANDO, Fla. A Tallahassee-based judge sided with Floridas largest teachers union Monday ruling that Floridas blanket order to require schools to teach students in the classroom during the coronavirus pandemic is unconstitutional. Florida Education Association, the states largest teachers union, along with a number of other organizations filed a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran and the state alleging reopening schools was unsafe. It is unclear if school districts will stick to their reopening plans that were submitted to Floridas Education Commission or if districts will roll back plans. The Florida Education Association is expected to hold a news conference at 3:30 p.m.

Report shows COVID-19 cases popping up on Florida campuses

The report breaks down the number of cases tied to elementary, middle and high schools, as well as colleges, universities and trade schools. Altogether, 714 people, including students and employees, have tested positive for COVID-19 since Aug. 10, according to the report. Campuses shut down in March as the pandemic grew in Florida, forcing students to finish the spring through distance learning. But Florida State University and the University of Central Florida have reported 42 and 94 positive cases among students, respectively. The cumulative number of cases at those two universities surpasses the statewide total in the state report.

Judge slated to rule on Florida teachers union lawsuit next week

Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson, who is slated to issue a ruling early next week, heard closing arguments in lawsuits filed by the Florida Education Association and the union that represents Orange County teachers. Schools risk losing funding if they don’t comply with Corcoran’s order, which teachers’ attorneys called “financial bullying.”But lawyers representing Gov. Ron DeSantis, Corcoran and state education officials, who are defendants in the case, maintain that the Constitution also requires the state to provide “high-quality education” to Florida schoolchildren. Although DeSantis and Corcoran have said publicly that teachers with medical conditions should be accommodated during the pandemic, local school officials have denied some educators’ requests to teach remotely. During testimony this week, the unions spotlighted the potential risks to teachers’ health, while the state focused on children’s educational needs.

Florida teachers union begins mediation with state over school reopening

Floridas largest teachers union and attorneys for the state are meeting in Tallahassee Tuesday for court-ordered meditation in an attempt to come to an agreement on how to safely reopen school campuses amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Florida Education Association is suing Gov. Ron DeSantis, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, the Florida Department of Education and others to stop Florida brick-and-mortar schools from physically reopening. A few school districts across the state have already welcomed students back. Many school districts have delayed the start of the school year to late August because of the pandemic.

Opinions on how Orange County Schools should reopen divided among parents, teachers and health experts

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. Opinions on how Orange County Public Schools should provide education for the 2020-2021 school year has become divided among parents, teachers, and health experts. The mother of four said its time for a return to normalcy for her family despite the health risks. We were reckless with beaches, we were reckless with restaurants and now we want to be reckless with our public schools? Orange County school board members have turned to an 11 member medical advisory committee for guidance on a safe reopening. Now were at the ninth hour and were going to change it again on these parents and teachers, Williams said.

Judge denies Floridas motion to dismiss educators lawsuit

The battle to stop Florida brick-and-mortar schools from psychically reopening is going to trial after a judge denied the states motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Floridas largest teachers union. On Thursday, lawsuits filed by the Florida Education Association, the Orange County teachers union and a parent were combined. The state had motioned to dismiss the lawsuit; however, on Friday morning a judge denied the motion to dismiss. Stuart and attorney, Billy Wieland are representing the plaintiff in a lawsuit that was filed against Gov. Both Stuart and Wieland represent the three OCPS teachers and the parent who are part of the lawsuit.

Hillsborough County schools not reopening no the right decision', Gov. DeSantis says

Ron DeSantis said that school districts have a legal requirement to offer in-person instruction this fall despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The law requires you to offer certain amount of in-person instruction, DeSantis said about the decision in Hillsborough to balk at the state order. The governor said Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran will now go to Hillsborough County and examine the situation on a school-by-school basis. Is there a school in the county that wont be able to offer (in-person learning)? In Hillsborough County 2,857 children have tested positive for the virus.

Florida Education Association files emergency hearing to delay reopening of schools

The Florida Education Association hopes a judge will delay the reopening of schools for in-person instruction. The labor union filed an emergency hearing on Aug. 3 to block reopening brick and mortar schools while a lawsuit against the state is pending. On July 20, the Florida Education Association filed a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Board of Education. A special virtual meeting is scheduled for Aug. 5, at 1 p.m ahead of schools reopening.

Florida governor would send his children back to school in person -- if they were old enough

CLEARWATER, Fla. Parents across Florida have had to decide whether to keep their students home or to send them back to schools in August amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is not one of those parents because his children are too young, he said he would send them for in-person learning. The governor and his wife First Lady Casey DeSantis have three young children, Madison, 4, Mason, 2, and Mamie, who is about 5 months old. I would have no way of being able to definitively say that nobody in, in any child care setting, a caregiver, has ever come down with it. If theres an outbreak in Pasco County, you know, is the health department tying that to a child care or not?

Florida reports more than 9,000 new cases of COVID-19, 136 new deaths

ORLANDO, Fla. The number of coronavirus cases in Florida continues to rise, with the state reporting 9,440 new cases on Tuesday, as well as 136 additional deaths. On July 1, the Florida Department of Health began reporting resident and non-resident deaths as separate categories. The state reported a total of 134 resident deaths and two non-resident deaths in Florida on Tuesday, for a cumulative total of 5,319 deaths since the start of the pandemic. The state also recently began reporting the number of patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 through the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration dashboard. Details on Central Florida school districts respective reopening plans can be found at ClickOrlando.com/backtoschool.

Florida reports more than 9,000 new cases of COVID-19, 136 new deaths

ORLANDO, Fla. The number of coronavirus cases in Florida continues to rise, with the state reporting 9,440 new cases on Tuesday, as well as 136 additional deaths. On July 1, the Florida Department of Health began reporting resident and non-resident deaths as separate categories. The state reported a total of 134 resident deaths and two non-resident deaths in Florida on Tuesday, for a cumulative total of 5,319 deaths since the start of the pandemic. The state also recently began reporting the number of patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 through the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration dashboard. Details on Central Florida school districts respective reopening plans can be found at ClickOrlando.com/backtoschool.

Florida Board of Education meets to discuss school reopening plans

Ron DeSantis was the special guest who opened up the meeting for the Florida Board of Education Wednesday morning. I know a lot of parents are trying to figure out whats going to happen, DeSantis said about schools reopening. I think its important parents have the ability to make a choice, DeSantis said. Florida Department of Education Board Member Michael Olenick criticized Corcorans executive order, which came out hours after President Donald Trump tweeted SCHOOLS MUST OPEN IN THE FALL!! No word if there will be a public comment period but a small group of protesters gathered outside the meeting as it happened.

Florida schools ordered to reopen next month

The Florida Department of Education will give the final OK for school reopening plans. Seminole County School Board is set to approve the final safety plan for campuses to reopen on July 14. Osceola County schools will reopen on Aug. 10 as planned, according to the school district. A draft of Lake County’s school reopening plan is available here. The Marion County School Board has a meeting scheduled Tuesday to potentially approve a plan for the upcoming academic year.

Florida continues to report thousands of new COVID-19 cases as rate of infection rises

As teachers across Florida prepare for in-person classes in about a month, thousands of cases of COVID-19 continue to be reported throughout the state. Despite the objection from some teachers, Florida schools will open this fall amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to a statewide executive order issued Monday. [MORE DETAILS: Florida schools ordered to reopen next month]A day after the order was issued, the Florida Department of Health reported 7,347 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, as well as 380 new hospitalizations. With the new cases reported Monday morning, Floridas daily positivity rate was 16.27%, an increase by nearly 2 points. Ron DeSantis on Monday said he was not concerned about the theme parks contributing to the current increase in COVID-19 cases.

Heres what we know about how Central Florida schools plan to reopen in August

Heres what we know thus far about Central Florida school reopening plans:Brevard CountySince the end of May, Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Mullins has been planning to reopen campuses on Aug. 11. Parents will soon have to choose whether theyd like their child to go back to campus in the fall or continue virtual learning. A draft of the 39-page reopening plan has been posted to Lake County Schools website. Seminole CountySeminole County School Board is set to approve the final safety plan for campuses to reopen on July 14. Sumter CountySumter County students will be able to choose between traditional school, virtual school and another option that is still being developed.

Governor hopes Florida schools will reopen for summer, fall semesters

Ron DeSantis and Commissioner Richard Corcoran announced that they plan to reopen schools for in-person learning in the fall of 2020. We want schools fully open in the fall because there is no better way to educate our kids than have that great teacher in front of that child, Corcoran said. The governor also announced that he would be using federal dollars through the CARES Act to fund the return of students to classrooms. [TIMELINE: The spread of coronavirus in Florida]Thursday saw the largest increase in reported coronavirus cases on record in Florida; June 4 previously held the record for the largest increase in cases, standing at 1,419 newly reported infections. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6s coronavirus newsletter or go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.

All Florida schools to take additional week off after spring break amid coronavirus concerns

ORLANDO, Fla. – Spring break has been extended by an extra week for all Florida students due to concerns about the coronavirus. [RELATED: 5 things you need to know about COVID-19 | Orlando Airport to see significant drop in passengers beginning Monday, officials say]Many school districts had already taken steps to cancel all extracurricular activities but up until now, all Central Florida school districts had planned to resume operations as usual after the spring break vacation. I’m not faulting the school districts, this is unprecedented and they don’t have a manual to go by," Smith said. “We are working with the USDA on authority to provide schools with flexible options to make school meals available. Most of all, we are standing with Florida’s schools and families to ensure no child goes hungry while schools are out.”To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395.