Leon School Board Moves Forward with $50M in Renovations at Rickards, Fairview

Leon School Board Moves Forward with $50M in Renovations at Rickards, Fairview

During his campaign for Superintendent of Leon Schools, Rocky Hanna consistently opposed the proposal to build a new high school on the southside of the district. Instead, Hanna argued it was more prudent to invest funds in renovating Rickards High School and Fairview Middle School. Now, as Superintendent, Hanna’s priorities are being implemented. At the […]

School Board Term Limits Ready For House Floor

School Board Term Limits Ready For House Floor

County school-board members would face an eight-year term limit under a proposed constitutional amendment approved Thursday by the House Education Committee. In a 14-2 vote, the panel endorsed the measure (HJR 1031), sponsored by Rep. Jason Fischer, R-Jacksonville. The proposal would limit school board members, who serve four-year terms, to no more than eight consecutive […]

School Board Member Says Deerlake Teachers Fear Retaliation from Administrator Julie Lawson

School Board Member Says Deerlake Teachers Fear Retaliation from Administrator Julie Lawson

UPDATED The Leon County School Board has informed Tallahassee Reports, that after an investigation, Ms. Striplin’s complaint against Ms. Lawson was unsubstantiated. Deana McAllister, Director Labor and Employer Relations, wrote in response to Ms. Striplin’s formal complaint that ” it has been determined that your complaint is unsubstantiated and does not meet the threshold for […]

School Board Member Files Complaint Against Deerlake Administrator

School Board Member Files Complaint Against Deerlake Administrator

Tallahassee Reports has confirmed that Leon County School Board Member Alva Striplin has filed a complaint against Deerlake Assistant Principal Julie Lawson. When contacted by TR,  Striplin confirmed the complaint and said that “Ms. Lawson should conduct herself in an ethical and professional manner as outlined in LCSB policies 3210 and 1210, towards all District […]

School Board Officials Respond to Graduation Rate Drop

School Board Officials Respond to Graduation Rate Drop

Officials at the Leon County School Board have responded to a Tallahassee Reports story published about a decline in high school graduation rates. The report, based on information released earlier this month by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE), showed that high school graduation rates in Leon County dropped by 3.7% for 2016-17. Gillian Gregory, Assistant […]

School Board, Superintendent Proposals Head to Constitution Revision Commission

School Board, Superintendent Proposals Head to Constitution Revision Commission

Two measures that would affect Florida school boards and school superintendents are headed to the full state Constitution Revision Commission. On Thursday, the commission’s Local Government Committee approved a measure (Proposal 43), sponsored by Commissioner Erika Donalds of Naples, that would limit school board members to no more than two four-year terms in office. Currently, […]

Hanna: School Choice Caused Resegregation

Hanna: School Choice Caused Resegregation

During the October 10th Leon County School Board (LCSB) meeting, Superintendent Rocky Hanna blamed school choice in Florida for Leon County’s recent ranking as one of the five most highly-segregated school districts in the state. Hanna faced questioning from LCSB chair Georgia “Joy” Bowen on the resegregation of Leon County schools identified in a Sept. […]

State Audit Finds Leon County School Board Erred in Giving Teacher Bonuses

State Audit Finds Leon County School Board Erred in Giving Teacher Bonuses

Tallahassee Reports has confirmed with the Leon County School Board that a state audit has determined that approximately 20 teachers received bonuses that must be returned. The bonuses range from $5,000 -$10,000. The total amount expended by the error that occurred in 2017 was expected to be around $120,000. The bonuses were part of the […]

Hanna Not Happy with HB 7069

Hanna Not Happy with HB 7069

TALLAHASSEE — While not prepared to join other Florida school districts in a lawsuit against recently passed HB 7069, Leon County School Superintendent Rocky Hanna is clearly frustrated with the new legislation. “The state is trying to destroy public education which is a cornerstone of our great nation. Without a productive education system, I fear […]