Triumph Gulf Coast chairman Don Gaetz told Inweekly that the performance standards set for the Escambia County School District are low. If the district fails to meet them, then part of the $3-million grant will need to be refunded.
How low? Very
Performance Standards over three-year period :
Certificates for 210 K-5 students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), 70 per year average.  The district has 18,729 K-5 students. If certificates can only be given to fifth-graders, the district has 3,110 – so only 2.25 percent would need to earn STEM certifications each year.
Certificates for 70 middle school students in information technology, 23.33 students per year. The district has 9,181 middle school students. If certificates can only be given to eighth-graders, the district has 2,880 – so less than 1 percent would need to earn IT certifications each year.
Certificates for 20 high school students for aircraft assembly, 6.67 students per year. The district has 11,134 high school students. If certificates can only be given to seniors, the district has 2,367 – so about a quarter of 1 percent would need to earn aircraft assembly certifications each year.
Certificates for 20 high school students in manufacturing, 6.67 students per year. The district has 11,134 high school students. If certificates can only be given to seniors, the district has 2,367 – so about a quarter of 1 percent would need to earn manufacturing certifications each year.
Certificates for 100 high school students for cybersecurity, 33.33 students per year. The district has 11,134 high school students. If certificates can only be given to seniors, the district has 2,367 – so 1.4 percent would need to earn cybersecurity certifications each year.
What is School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas afraid of? No other school district has balked at the performance standards.
These are the George Stone Technical College, Pensacola State College and UWF requirements:
Certificates for 50 post-secondary students at George Stone Technical College for airframe and powerplant;
Certificates for 30 post-secondary students for cybersecurity; and
Certificates 25 post-secondary students for commercial driving.