The great story: It was almost surreal.
In the same downtown Tampa hotel complex were Moms for Liberty, the Florida Democratic Party, the Federalist Society, and, for a change, Metro-Con attendees dressed as Sailor Moon, Loki, and the like.
It would be negligent if I didn’t take into account the fact that while Moms for Liberty / @FlaDems conferences take place simultaneously in Tampa, there is also a Comic-Con.
Here’s the Mandalorian and Boba Fett sitting behind me at the Moms for Liberty Hotel.
Star Wars Caucus? pic.twitter.com/0l1zQn6bj1
– Emily L. Mahoney (@mahoneysthename) July 16, 2022
Speeches and the backlash, marked by occasional protests, highlighted how it is becoming a key education policy as the 2022 Florida elections approach.
The Moms group, sponsored by influential conservatives such as the Heritage Foundation, brought together enthusiastic attendees with talks on how to prevent schools from indoctrinating children in areas such as gender ideology and socio-emotional learning. The audience had a lot of “fun” to offer, as they took notes on how to spread the message effectively at home, while looking to win majorities on school boards.
The effort is unfolding in real time in Pinellas County, for example, where a District 2 candidate who attended the summit is attacking the Conservative incumbent as not conservative enough, while the third protested outside. Read more about Moms for Liberty’s background in the Miami Herald.
Rose Jamieson, 64, co-founder of St. Pete for Change, sits in front of the Moms for Liberty National Summit on Friday, July 15, 2022 in Tampa. [ LAUREN WITTE | Times ]
Democrats brought a clearly different worldview, promising to fight book bans, prejudice, and bigotry. They raised the hope that mothers ’positions on school classes will not appeal to moderates and independents.
Who left with the political impetus is yet to be seen.
A possible clue came out over the weekend: a new survey by the national teachers ’union indicated that Governor Ron DeSantis’ education policy positions, which Moms for Liberty endorsed, have voter approval, NBC reports. Meanwhile, a new organization called DeSantis Watch argued that the governor’s policies are exacerbating Florida’s teacher shortage, Florida Politics reports.
Hot topics
School safety: The Clay County School District authorized a 21% increase in premiums to cover active aggressor insurance, WJXT reports. • The Lake County School Board is asking voters to renew a local option property tax to help pay for school safety measures, the Daily Commercial reports. The tax, first approved in 2018, supports initiatives such as having officials at each school, the Daily Commercial reports.
Lack of teachers: Given that many teachers are struggling to find a place to live in Collier County, the School Board is exploring an affordable housing plan with district properties, Gulf Shores Business reports. • Alachua County teacher union leaders said student poor discipline is a major cause of teacher turnover in the district, Gainesville Sun reports. • Okeechobee County School District officials said their struggle to hire enough teachers is worse than in the past. Long-term subordinates are being used to fill gaps, WPEC reports.
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Public comment: A judge dismissed a case alleging that the Brevard County School Board discriminated against conservative parents with its public speaking policy, Florida Today reports.
Gender issues: The Palm Beach County School District removed an LGBTQ support guide from its website over concerns that it could violate Florida’s new gender identity instruction law, WLRN reports.
Demand for intellectual freedom: A federal judge said former education commissioner Richard Corcoran should not testify in the case, the Florida News Service reports.
University entrance exams: A former South Florida high school football coach was disciplined to help players with answers to SAT exams, Sun-Sentinel reports.
From the role of the police … An aide to a Hillsborough County high school teacher was arrested on charges of possessing child pornography. • The Marion County School District Technical Services Department caught fire over the weekend. An investigation into the cause is ongoing, reports the Ocala Star-Banner.
From the court file … Today begins the sentencing of the Parkland school shooter. The families of the victims are asking for the death penalty, the Associated Press reports.
Before you leave … Always try to enjoy Steve Martin when you can.
A little summer banjo. Here is a little song written by Alison Brown and me. Breaking the foggy morning. pic.twitter.com/HpLeY5hrJI
– Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) July 15, 2022
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Every Thursday, he receives the latest updates on what’s going on in schools in the Tampa Bay area Time education reporter Jeffrey S. Solochek. Click here to register.