Category: Education
Alachua County leaders join together for better public education
The Alachua County School District has been a “C” district for the past two years. Yesterday, Alachua County community leaders, educators and elected officials signed…
Will Newpoint pay its teachers?
Tonight the Escambia County School Board will vote on whether the district should send 90-day termination notices to the three charter schools run by Newpoint…
PS Podcast: Charter schools cashing in on kids
On Pensacola Speaks, I spoke with Miami Herald investigative reporter Kathleen McGrory on her coverage on charter schools. She and Scott Hiaasen worked together in…
Evidence against Newpoint schools compelling
For an hour and 45 minutes, Escambia County School District staff went over evidence at Friday’s school board workshop that documented the district’s case to…
Final Showdown is the biggest: Malcolm Thomas vs. Newpoint Education Partners
In a week filled with showdowns, the last one —Superintendent Malcolm Thomas vs. Newpoint Education Partners—could be the biggest. At 1:30 p.m. today, the…
Newpoint says it was blindsided by Thomas
Newpoint Education Partners tonight said in a press release that it was caught off guard by Superintendent Malcolm Thomas’ recommendation for the Escambia County School…
PS today: Miami Herald reporter talks about big money in charter schools
Miami Herald investigative reporter Kathleen McGrory has covered charter schools for years. She and Scott Hiaasen worked together in September 2011 on the series “Cashing…
Palm Beach County charter school shows risk of poor oversight
The Palm Beach County School District may have to repay $2.5 million to the state because it failed to provide proof of the attendance records…
Newpoint update: Bergosh speaks out, FDOE letter, NEP fights, Edgar investigates
School Board member Jeff Bergosh has issued a statement on the Newpoint issue. Last Friday, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas recommended that the school board terminate its…
Newpoint in trouble in Bay County
The company that runs three charter schools in Escambia County had its grant applications for two new schools in Bay County denied. The Florida Department…
Nothing said about Newpoint issues when the school gave its quarterly report
In its press release today, Newpoint pointed out: “Over the past 4 years of operation, Newpoint Pensacola High School and Academy have had numerous levels…
Newpoint claims terminations politically driven
The daily newspaper has received an email from Carla Lovett, Newpoint Education Partners’ vice president for curriculum and instruction. The tone is more combative than…
Thomas blames staff for not keeping school board informed on Newpoint
1620 News Radio’s Andrew McKay interviewed Superintendent Malcolm Thomas this morning about his recommendation to terminate the charter contracts for the three schools run by…
Newpoint administrator vows to fight terminations
The parents of students at the three charter schools run by Newpoint Education Partners received a letter, via email, yesterday from Carla Lovett, an officer…
PS Today: Tale of Two Charter Schools
Are all charter schools treated equally by Superintendent Malcolm Thomas? On Pensacola Speaks today, Rev. Lutimothy May will talk about his dealings with the superintendent…
Newpoint allegations – what the records indicate
The School District, and Superintendent Malcolm Thomas personally, were notified of teachers being pressured to change the grades of seniors so the students would graduate….
Education Town Hall tonight
As part of an ongoing series of reports on local education, the Studer Community Institute is hosting a town hall meeting that BlabTV will broadcast…
PS Podcast: Coach Shinnick talks about UWF football
On Pensacola Speaks, I talked with UWF Head Football Coach Pete Shinnick about his first spring drills. He shares his philosophy on building a football…
NY Times: Escambia County is among worst counties in U.S. for children in poor families
The New York Times reports that if you’re poor and live in the Pensacola area, it’s better to be in Okaloosa County. In fact, the…
Newpoint: Superintendent and staff knew of grade tampering allegations a year ago
Despite earlier claims that district only recently learned of possible grade tampering at Newpoint High School, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas and his staff knew of the…
