The Superintendent's weekly review summarizes key issues from the legislative session, including proposed bills on teacher performance pay and tenure that would dramatically change teacher evaluations. Budget cuts of 10% proposed by the governor could result in losing 275 teaching positions. Updates are also provided on the strategic plan presentation to staff, the school-related employee reception, and volunteer recognition events.

1. SUPERINTENDENT’S WEEKLY REVIEW
March 7, 2011
Legislative Session Opens
This week marks the opening of the 2011 legislative session, and numerous bills impacting
education have been filed. We are closely watching the proposed legislation that deals with
Performance Pay/Tenure as it will dramatically change the way teachers and administrators are
evaluated and paid. Essentially, this bill requires school districts to evaluate and pay teachers
primarily on the basis of student test scores. It also eliminates tenure and requires districts to
create end-of-course exams for all subjects and grade levels.
In addition, we are monitoring the work of the Legislature as they prepare the budget for the
2011-2012 school year. Governor Scott, in his budget recommendation to the Legislature,
proposed a 10% reduction in funds to schools. These potential cuts come on the heels of cuts in
2008, 2009 and 2010, which have resulted in our overall budget being reduced by 25%. During
this time we have increased enrollment by thousands of students.
To understand the dramatic effect of this type of cut, we would need to lose 275 teaching
positions or 344 overall staff positions to balance our budget. We certainly do not intend to take
this drastic action; however, the impact of the Governor’s cut is over $17 million to our school
district. We certainly hope the Legislature will restore our funding so that we can meet the needs
of our students. I discuss both of these issues in my recent podcast, which you can access from
our website.
I encourage all citizens, including staff members, to pay very close attention to what is
happening during the legislative session and to become actively involved by expressing your
opinion. Our children need your voice.
Executive Cabinet
Community Relations Update by Margie Davidson
Strategic Plan
The 2010-2015 Strategic Plan was approved by the School Board in December, and the Strategic
Plan team members have put together a presentation to share with staff at each school during the
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2. next three months. High schools are scheduled for 7:45 a.m., middle schools for 1:30 p.m. and
elementary schools for 2:30 p.m. The event should last approximately 30 minutes, with time for
questions following. All presentations will take place on Wednesdays because of the early
release schedule. The first presentations are scheduled March 9 at St. Johns Technical High
School, Sebastian Middle School, Liberty Pines Academy and Timberlin Creek Elementary
School. Communication with employees is the first step in the implementation of the new
Strategic Plan.
SREY
The annual School-Related Employee of the Year Reception will be held on Tuesday, March 22
at First Coast Technical College (FCTC). The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with registration and
photos of the nominees. A reception will follow starting at 6:15 p.m., and the program will begin
at 7 p.m. Thirty-four school representatives, along with three district nominees, will be honored
at the event. Each SREY will receive an engraved pen and certificate, and the district winner will
be announced that evening. Their name will then be forwarded to the regional competition.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program/Volunteer Services
Volunteer Reception
The Annual Outstanding School Volunteer and Volunteer Coordinator Reception will be held on
Thursday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. at FCTC. Honorees will include Outstanding School Volunteers
in the youth, adult and senior categories, plus recognition of the Volunteer Coordinators at each
school. The district winners for the Outstanding School Volunteers in each category will be
announced at the reception, as well as the Parent Involvement Award winners.
Chocolate and Beyond Gala
The 18th Annual RSVP Chocolate and Beyond Gala was held last month. This anticipated event
included an abundance of chocolate, appetizers and various desserts from some of the area’s
finest culinary artisans and restaurants. Proceeds from the gala help fund the upcoming Annual
RSVP Recognition Luncheon. This is a once-a-year event which gives RSVP the opportunity to
say "thank you" to its more than 650 volunteers by providing lunch, awards and door prizes. The
luncheon helps volunteers get revitalized in order to continue meeting critical community needs
in St. Johns County. This year’s event will take place on May 3 at FCTC.
Volunteer Week
National Volunteer Week is April 10-16. This is a great time for us to stop and thank our
volunteers for their tireless efforts. Their contributions make a huge impact in the lives of our
students throughout St. Johns County, and the service and time they donate is priceless. The
School Board will be recognizing Annual Volunteer Week at its monthly meeting in April. The
2010-2011 Golden and Silver Schools will be recognized at the May School Board meeting for
their commitment in the areas of community volunteer service, volunteer coordination and
student volunteer service.
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3. St. Johns Education Foundation
Consortium Meeting
Members of the St. Johns County Education Foundation will be attending the annual meeting of
the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations scheduled this week in Tallahassee. While
there they will be visiting legislators and encouraging them to continue to support the matching
funds program available to all district foundations in the state. The SJCEF uses these funds to
provide Horizon Grants for schools and teachers.
Take Stock in Children
Take Stock in Children will host its New Beginnings luncheon next month as four new students
sign contracts for TSIC scholarships. This brings the total number of TSIC students in St. Johns
County to 52. Students who meet the criteria are eligible for four-year college scholarships.
ON THE HORIZON
AYCA Nominations
Monday, March 14 is the deadline to submit nominations for the character education awards
program established by Character Counts! of St. Johns County. The awards are part of the
American Youth Character Awards (AYCA) program and recognize high school juniors and
seniors who exhibit the Six Pillars of Character. The program is open to current juniors and
seniors attending high school in St. Johns County. Nomination forms are available on the school
district website at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/cc/nominations.
Approximately three percent of the junior class at each high school and one percent of the senior
class will be honored at the Eleventh Annual AYCA Banquet to be held April 28 at the
Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village.
STATUS REPORTS
School Board Update
The School Board’s monthly meeting is scheduled at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8 in the School
Board Administration Building at 40 Orange Street. The agenda includes recognition of the
Overall 2011 River Region East Science Fair winners, the 2011 Rookie Teacher of the Year and
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4. Teacher of the Year, as well as retiring employees. There is also a presentation on Legislative
Day by Bartram Trail High School students. Action items include requests for approval of two
budget amendments.
Did You Know…?
• Students from Pedro Menendez High School’s Masonry Program, sponsored by Cemex,
won the Florida Masonry Apprentice and Educational Foundation (FMAEF) Masonry
Showcase for the fourth straight year. Menendez competed against six other schools,
Camden County High School, Bradford Tech, Suwannee Tech, Traviss Tech, Marion
Tech and West Nassau High School. There were 33 students participating, and Jacob
Fulford from Menendez scored the highest points, 957 out of a possible 1,000.
Ray Robinson from Jim Allan Masonry in Gainesville, the Winner of the 2011 Brick 500
(Best Bricklayer in America) and the 2011 National 2 nd place Fastest Trowel Winner, was
on hand to inspire the young masons.
• Ten elementary schools from St. Johns County participated in the recent 14th Annual Bag
It Up Drive to benefit Goodwill Industries. Students were encouraged to generate more
than 60% participation among their student body to be eligible for a two-hour Radio
Disney party. Both Liberty Pines Academy and PVPV/Rawlings had 100% participation.
Mill Creek, Durbin Creek and Timberlin Creek all qualified for a party as well. The event
was co-sponsored by Radio Disney and Firehouse Subs.
The Character Counts! Pillar for March is Trustworthiness.
“Trust builds relationships. Relationships build people.”
Duane Hodgin
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