School

For the third time in four years, “Java The Hutts” are heading to the World Championship. This dynasty is built with 11 high schoolers with one goal: enjoy this growing competition.

On Feb. 14, the Trump administration sent out a memo to the nation’s schools and colleges, giving them two weeks to end any race-conscious enrolling, hiring, training, and diversity programs lest they be cut off from federal funding. As the deadline approaches, many schools are reviewing their programs to see if anything needs to be changed.

The Trump administration is allowing immigration agencies to make arrests in schools, reversing a policy that previously prohibited them from making arrests in sensitives places like hospitals, schools, and places of worship. This is just one act that is making it harder for students without legal status to both attend school and stay in school.

The Florida Senate on Monday gave final approval to a bill that would impose eight-year term limits on county school-board members, readying the issue to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

In response to nationwide school shootings and threats to its local schools, the Lee County School Board has approved a $3.2 million to purchase weapons detectors that will roll out for all K-12 public schools when students return for the 2023-2024 year.David Newlan, executive director of Safety, Security and Management for Lee schools, said he spent over a year researching security systems before choosing the portable, battery-operated OPENGATE system.

Sue B. Woodward, 68, of Texarkana, Arkansas, faces charges of one count each of grand theft and official misconduct, both felonies.

Principals and department hiring managers will be at the Lee County Public Education Center interviewing and hiring teachers, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, school social workers, and school counselors for the 2023-2024 school year.

A blog had reported that a candidate for the position of Collier County School Board school attorney had prior and potentially unethical email contact with a board member, including sending the board member a proposed employment agreement in November. That information was discounted by board officials, who said nothing below-board had taken place.

After the candidate interviews the board may select and recommend one of the candidates for the position, listed on the Jan. 23 agenda as a $180,000 position, or decide to seek additional input and/or candidates.

Southwest Florida voters will decide on a number of school board seats as well as choose if the next Lee County school superintendent will be appointed or elected.