I feel that the very idea that the Highlands County School Board has to have discussions and special meetings to address this issue is an excessively waste of thought, working hours and especially time away from more important issues. For I feel that if one feels he is from an ape, then one should be in the idiot zoo where one will "fit in" and be at home and the school of teachings one's own beliefs. For apparently, from the letters one has written to the newspaper editor, he has certainly proved himself to be that of the ignorant and illiterate non-human species. ...more

February 13, 2008

After reading Patrick Bohlen's letter "Highlands County School Board Needs To Evolve" it was apparent he is unaware that they have evolved. From ape-like creatures, I've got my doubts. But far from the once unprepared accumulation of parents and teachers who might be deceived by a hidden humanist agenda. Today Highlands County should stand proud, recognizing the wisdom and knowledge which this professional school board has displayed. This board does not stand alone, but is just one of scores of school boards across the state that views various changes in the New Science Standards as disingenuous and aimed to promote a pagan philosophy. Identifying this misguided teaching has nothing to do with religion, as Mr. Bohlen would have us believe, but rather the inaccuracy of the curriculum itself. The proposed new science standards have many excellent improvements, but the rhetoric concealed within the evolutionary portion of the new standards could be interpreted as selling a religion rather than teaching science. ...more

February 5, 2008

SEBRING — The public can learn more about the pros and cons of an elected versus appointed superintendent of schools today at a 6 p.m. workshop in the Highlands County Commission Chambers. The public's opinion on the issue will also be heard by the School Board. County Supervisor of Elections Joe Campbell has been invited to speak on the election process in changing to an appointed superintendent. If Campbell is attending to matters with the recent election, School Board Attorney John McClure will cover the process in making the change. ...more

January 31, 2008

AVON PARK — Plays are being run and audibles are being called in the search for the next Avon Park Red Devil head football coach. Principal Stu Guthrie and athletic director Mort Jackson are in the heart of the search for the next Red Devil head coach, with 13 candidates from as far away as Illinois, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and a few from Avon Park all vying to succeed former coach Earnest Perkins on the sideline. With spring football approaching, a new football coach is expected to be named by the end of January. "We've narrowed our search and have been interviewing candidates for the vacant coaching position," Jackson said. "We're still open-minded in our search and want to choose the right person for the job." Perkins, who finished his tenure as head coach at Avon Park with a 7-13 overall record, was fired as the Red Devil head coach in November and the search began immediately for his replacement. ...more

January 19, 2008

A few fine people are at the forefront of a great idea that we urge the Highlands County School Board to embrace. Diane Juve, who is a parent of a district student, as well as Highlands Regional Medical Center CEO Robert G. Mahaffey and hospital Chief of Staff Vinod Thakkar are advocating for the International Baccalaureate Program in our schools. We can't think of a better idea to instantly propel our school district into a new league. The International Baccalaureate program is a college prep program recognized internationally. It has rigorous academics and extracurricular requirements. Our district's best and brightest would compete on a level playing field with students from the best schools in the country. Successfully completing the program is the first step into gaining admittance to the best colleges and universities in the country. The program, which students must earn the right to enter, involves less memorization of facts and more critical thinking and in-depth study in various areas of study. It's a strong liberal arts education, but also stresses math and sciences. It's the same thing prep schools in the Northeast provide their students, and that's why many of them are considered the best in the country. In fact, most of the best high schools in America are part of the International Baccalaureate program. ...more

December 2, 2007

AVON PARK — The Highlands County School Board will not have to pay for a reclaimed "gray water" pipe hook-up at Memorial Elementary School until the city's reclaimed water lines reach within 500 feet of the school. In a split 3-2 vote, the council accepted the compromise in the agreement. Council members Doug Eason and Brenda Gray cast the two dissenting votes. ...more

November 29, 2007

SEBRING — Sebring wrestling coach Dave Cunningham has stepped down after three seasons with the Blue Streaks after taking a medical leave from teaching at Hill-Gustat Middle School. A district rule prohibits teachers on medical leave from coaching, and, according to Sebring Athletic Director Terry Quarles, the Highlands County school board notified her on Friday that Cunningham was ineligible to coach. ...more

November 18, 2007

SEBRING –– Forget about a gold watch for retirement –– Steve Ashley would rather watch goals. Especially those off the feet of his Sebring girls soccer team, which opens the winter sports season tonight when they host LaBelle at 7 p.m. on Firemen's Field. The Blue Streak coach, who retired form the Highlands County school board this past May, is looking forward to the season ahead, and he's not the only one in his household doing so: Senior Rachel Ashley returns to the pitch for her senior season after two years on the Blue Streak basketball team. ...more

October 30, 2007

SEBRING — Superintendent Wally Cox said Friday that "very few" students have contracted the staph infection, but he did not know the exact number or what schools the students attended. A district office secretary said reports of 10 infected students at one school is not even close to being true. Students received a letter in school Friday, to be taken home to their parents, about the staph infection. ...more

October 28, 2007

AVON PARK – More than than 40 area companies and government agencies will be participating in the 2007 Fall Employment Fair at South Florida Community College. The event will run from 4 - 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1 at Building B on the Highlands campus, 600 W. College Drive., Avon Park. The participating companies include: Alan Jay Automotive Network, AFLAC, Avon Park Youth Academy (Securicor), Bank of America, Children's Home Society of Florida, Cohan Radio Group, Comcast Cable, Country Mortgages by Farm Credit, Cross Country Automotive Services, CTL Distribution Trucking, DeSoto Memorial Hospital, Florida D.O.T. Motor Carrier Compliance, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Hospital Heartland Division, Florida Institute of Neurological Rehab, Florida Integrated Neurological Group, Florida's Natural Growers, Four Points by Sheraton, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation, H&R Block, Heartland National Bank, Heartland Sun Times, Highlands County Board of County Commissioners, Highlands County Family YMCA, Highlands County School Board, Highlands County EMS, Highlands County Sheriff's Office, Highlands Independent Bank, Hope Hospice & Community Services, Lake Placid Health Care Center, Lykes Bros. Inc., Merrill Lynch, Michaels, Moore Haven Correctional The GEO Group Inc., Newsom Eye & Laser Center, Quality Inn & Conference Center, Resolve Staffing, Sears, SeaBreeze Homes Inc., SFCC Public Service Academy, SFCC Human Resources, Sunshine Staffing, The Palms of Sebring and Verizon Wireless. ...more

October 28, 2007