Despite calls and emails in opposition, the Florida House Education Committee advanced a bill that would place Florida Polytechnic University under the wing of the University of Florida and make New College in Sarasota a satellite campus of Florida State University. Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Category: Schools
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Florida Polytechnic Merger Proposal Facing Opposition
Opposition is mounting to a surprise proposal to integrate Florida Polytechnic University into the University of Florida. The Lakeland-based STEM university’s president said he would attend today’s Florida House Education Committee meeting to oppose the bill, and Rep. Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland, said she will press to keep Florida Poly “autonomous.”
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Legislation Seeks to Fold Florida Poly Into UF
A Florida House bill (read it here) that is being heard Wednesday by the Education Committee would consolidate Florida Polytechnic University into the University of Florida and Sarasota’s New College into Florida State University. Rep. Randy Fine, a backer, said it’s a cost-cutting measure: “Unfortunately, degrees earned from Florida Poly and New College cost an […]
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School Board Hears From Teachers, Supporters
More than 350 people came to tonight’s Polk County School Board meeting at the Bartow High School auditorium, and many voiced support for higher teacher pay.
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Dixieland Secretary Named Polk School-Related Employee of the Year
Kay Llewellyn, who has been secretary to the principal at Dixieland Elementary School for 30 years, was named Polk County’s 2020 school-related employee of the year.
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Florida Poly Seeing Increase in Applications
Florida Polytechnic University is seeing a 31% increase in freshman admissions applications over last year, and a 44% increase in out-of-state interest. Some see that as welcome news in the wake of a WalletHub report (here) that places Lakeland-Winter Haven at 93rd among the 100 largest metro areas in favorability to STEM professionals | RELATED: […]
Posted inActivism
Polk Teachers Rally in Tallahassee, Lakeland
Because they were warned not to attend, Polk teachers were cheered when their buses arrived in Tallahassee for a rally supporting public education Monday. The 600+ on the buses plus several hundred more who carpooled made Polk’s probably the largest delegation at a statewide rally whose size was estimated at 4,500 by Tallahassee police. Coverage […]
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Videos: Munn Park Rally for Public Education
More than 500 people gathered in Munn Park at 4:30 p.m. today for a rally to support increased state funding for public education. After that, they walked to Florida Avenue to wave signs encouraging support from passing drivers. Speakers in the video, in order, are:
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Teachers Take Off for Tallahassee; Others Will Rally in Munn Park Today
Around 700 teachers and supporters boarded charter buses at the RP Funding Center early this morning to ride to Tallahassee for a rally in support of public education that’s expected to attract thousands. In Lakeland, a large crowd is expected at Munn Park at 4:30 today for a companion rally and march to support higher […]
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School Superintendent Outlines Plans to Staff Classrooms Monday
With more than 1,000 Polk public school teachers expected to travel to Tallahassee Monday for a statewide rally in support of increased education funding, Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd held a hastily called news conference today to explain the plan to ensure classrooms are covered. Plans include classroom staffing by 650 substitute teachers, 450 administrators, and 30 […]