Corcoran annoys teachers while awaiting judge’s reopening order

The same day the lawyers locked up their arguments in the lawsuit over his order to reopen the school, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran appeared on Fox News with a new post. Not only did Corcoran expect the in-person learning to resume before the end of August, but now he commentator Bill Hemmer told, he expected all teachers assigned to those classes to show up, otherwise. If they don’t, then “they can be fired,” said Corcoran, whose office lacks the authority to hire or fire school district employees – a fact he later has. recognized at Florida Politics. The commissioner, who previously touted his approach during COVID-19 as one of the “Compassion and grace”, has become the immediate target of teachers who remain anxious about their work. “This is yet another threat and intimidation tactic,” said an official with the Florida Education Association, who called the statement “shameful.” What will be the repercussions? The judge in the school reopening case could render a decision today. Meanwhile, another series of schools reopen today, including in Pasco and Pinellas counties. Hillsborough starts online only. Keep up to date with the latest live online story. Read on for the rest of the update.

Which way will it go? Leon County Judge Charles Dodson heard nearly two hours of oral argument Friday, asking more questions of state lawyers than union lawyers. He seemed interested in a proposal to remove financial penalties from the state’s reopening requirements. He did not show his hand, however, saying he needed time to consider all the evidence and legality before making a ruling. See our Twitter feed audience for more details. • Corcoran did not testify. But, in addition to appearing on Fox, he opened up about the affair with CNN. look here.

Tampa Bay is awaiting its first day. It will be not like the others in recent memory, say parents and teachers. What do you mean, you ask? Sitting, masking and distancing, to only cite a few. Colleges and universities in the region are taking measures to respond to COVID-19 at the resumption of classes too. • Brevard County students also back on Monday, Florida today reports, just like Indian River and Saint Lucia students, TC Palm reports. • Upon the return of students from Osceola County, the district reminded families of checking their children for symptoms before showing up, Positively Osceola reports. • Lake County School District officials say they are taking all available safety precautions when the students return, the Daily advertising reports.

Take classes at home? Hope you don’t need a new laptop. There is a nationwide shortage, the Associated press reports. • The number of Leon County students planning to attend distance learning courses keep increasing, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. • Distance learning has proven itself especially difficult for children with special needs. But the return to school also raised concerns.

Are you going back and want to know if the virus is in your school? Whether you find out or not it depends where you live. Pasco County will tell you, for example, as Orange County has fought to keep information private, the NY Times reports. • The neighboring districts of Collier and Lee are take different approaches, the Daily News from Naples reports. • But, as the leaders of Flagler County have recognized, it is more a question of when than if, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. • You can already see it happening. The virus entered nearly a dozen schools in Manatee County during his first week of classes, the Bradenton Herald reports. More Herald Tribune. • Students in seven classes at a Citrus County high school were asked to quarantine, the Chronicle of Citrus County reports. • Cases have also occurred in schools in Wakulla (WCTV), Bradford (WJXT), Calhoun and Franklin counties (WJHG). • Schools in Seminole County have told parents to prepare for their children to self-quarantine, if necessary, WOFL reports.

It might not be that bad. Schools in Lee County have opened for three weeks of summer schooling, and nobody got sick, the Fort Myers News-Press reports. • Over the weekend, Florida reported one of its lowest number of new cases in two months.

Some Hillsborough teachers say they are ready to quit if they are forced to return. They are watch to see how their district is reacting after the arrival of the state decision, Creative Loafing reports. • The Polk Education Association has filed a class action lawsuit against its district, claiming that the district arbitrarily refused request by a teacher to teach at a distance, the register reports. A professor from Polk resigned after being refused for an online position, the register reports.

The Santa Rosa County School District has fired dozens of teachers due to low enrollment rates. Then rehired several to teach online courses, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.

Private schools have different rules. Several private schools in central Florida received federal grants and loans for their COVID-19 response, and they are not required to follow the same reopening requirements as their public counterparts, the Orlando Sentry reports.

High school athletes might be ready to play. In Lee and Collier counties, their parents will have to sign disclaimers before they are authorized, the Daily News from Naples reports.

Federal investigators are investigating corruption in Bay County. They have served a new subpoena for school district contracts, WMBB reports.

They have a winner. A funeral home worker demanding greater responsibility won a seat on the Santa Rosa County School Board in 21 votes after a recount, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.

Before you leave … As they usually do, teachers try to make sure that things that may seem scary or difficult to their students appear to be manageable. Like social distancing. An elementary school in Vero Beach parodied Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” to send its safety message back to campus. Even Vanilla Ice has been approved. “It was a great message and that’s what it takes”, the rapper says WPBF. Enjoy.