The School Board of Highlands County will likely vote on two major issues Tuesday – starting an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and letting voters decide how to select the superintendent of schools. ...more

February 24, 2008

SEBRING — As the country moves toward energy independence, central Florida will be a key region, U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney told county school board officials and administrators. "This is going to transform Highlands County," he said Thursday. "We believe that we are going to generate over 10,000 high-paying jobs in this region in the next 10 years." ...more

February 22, 2008

SEBRING — April Milicevic planned to drive her daughter each weekday from Lake Placid to Bartow so she could attend a school with an International Baccalaureate diploma program. ...more

February 20, 2008

AVON PARK — Memorial Elementary School, on schedule to open in August, will be populated with students coming from four existing elementary schools, according to the district's proposed attendance plan. "We've got a boundary that we think is a logical one and hopefully it will be cost efficient," Assistant Superintendent of Business/Operations Mike Averyt said Monday. "We've got two public hearings to adopt the changes in the boundaries so we will be able to get public input at that point." The affected schools, from which some neighborhoods will be reassigned to the new school, are Sun 'n Lake Elementary, Avon Elementary, Park Elementary and Woodlawn Elementary. With the largest elementary school enrollment in the district, Sun 'n Lake Elementary will have the greatest enrollment decrease, Averyt said. The goal is to reduce enrollment at the school from 900 to about 650 students. The details of the proposed redistricting and school attendance zone maps will be released soon and will be presented at the public hearings, he said. ...more

February 5, 2008

SEBRING — Possible deadlines for an elected or appointed superintendent referendum were announced Thursday night during a School Board of Highlands County workshop. The issue of changing from an elected to an appointed school superintendent has become a hot issue lately amongst parents and residents. Depending upon how the school board handles the issue, residents may have the opportunity later this year to vote on whether board members should appoint future superintendents or keep the current system, which leaves it up to the public to elect them. ...more

February 4, 2008

SEBRING — Parents criticized Superintendent Wally Cox for his decision, for budgetary reasons, to delay filling the top position in the Exceptional Student Education Department. Parent Mike Altman told the school board and Cox Tuesday, "We've been waiting for a long time for a change; The kids deserve a change. "We are here as parents and professionals due to our concern regarding the decision that has been made not to fill the position of ESE coordinator at this time. We have been told the decision for not filling the position at this time is to help the budget." ...more

January 27, 2008

SEBRING — The shuttle buses were late the first day of school and a false fire alarm on the second day were just a couple of minor glitches for an overall successful debut of the Kindergarten Learning Center. ...more

December 26, 2007

SEBRING — Ruby Handley has held numerous faculty meetings during the past seven and a half years she has served as principal of Fred Wild Elementary School, but Tuesday's after-school meeting was particularly emotional. ...more

December 19, 2007

SEBRING — As more students use Florida Virtual School, school districts face the reality of funding losses. The Highlands County School District is proposing a way to receive funding for some students who are taking online courses. If a student takes an online class during the school day, that takes a tremendous amount of funding away from the school district, School Board Chairman J. Ned Hancock said. But those virtual classes may be the only opportunity for the district's students to take certain courses. ...more

December 3, 2007

SEBRING — Could this year's advanced ninth-graders graduate high school with an International Baccalaureate Diploma? We'll have a better idea come March when the School Board of Highlands County decides whether to pursue the program. Then paperwork to start a feasibility study needs to completed by Sept. 1, 2008, said parent Diane Juve. The IB program is well known nationwide, and is a highly regarded college prep program, Juve added. Juve's child is in middle school and she played a big part in getting the Advanced Academics program to Highlands County. Parents curious about the program will have a chance to get some information. An informational parent forum on the IB program is scheduled at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 10 at Hill-Gustat Middle School. ...more

November 23, 2007