Education

On Monday, December 9, James Herzog, FCCB associate director for education, testified on behalf of HB 2565 (Bush III) regarding security funding for non-public K-12 schools that participate in state scholarship programs. The $1 million appropriation will help bolster what schools are already doing to protect children by hardening the physical security of their campuses. Potential improvements include the installation of bulletproof glass, perimeter fencing, gates and locks, visitor screening, and security cameras. HB 2565 passed the House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously.

Lisa Brooks, the director of the Saint Rita Pre-School Program in Santa Rosa Beach (located in the diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee) came to Tallahassee on September 17, 2019 to participate in an early learning panel.  This discussion was part of the Florida House of Representatives’ Education Committee meeting that was held during the first committee week of the 2020 Legislative Session.  Ms. Brooks was one of three preschool directors who joined three early learning coalition officials on the panel.  They were asked to discuss ways of identifying and rewarding quality providers in the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Education and School Readiness programs. 

The St. John Paul II Catholic High School boys' basketball team was recognized in the Florida Senate and House galleries by Senator Bill Montford and Rep. Loranne Ausley. The Panthers captured their first ever Class 3-A State Championship on March 5. St. John Paul II is located in Tallahassee and was founded in 2001. Coach Titus Nixon is an alumnus of the school who played on the basketball team during his time as a student. Go Panthers!