Monroe County school board members were briefed on science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) and career technical education (CTE) programs during a Dec. 10 meeting at Coral Shores High School.
Donna Tedesco, district STEM coordinator, described how the nonprofit Monroe County Education Foundation supports STEM programs and teachers in the district. One successful program is the NOAA Ocean Guardian Schools, which makes a commitment to the protection and conservation of its local watersheds, the world’s ocean, and special ocean areas, like national marine sanctuaries. Plantation Key School, Key Largo School, Treasure Village Montessori and Ocean Studies Charter School are NOAA Ocean Guardian Schools. This program has multiple partners, as diverse as the United Way and Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden. Activities such as planning, creating and maintaining rainwater filtration gardens involve students in all the elements of STEM.
Caroline Bleske, CTE coordinator for the district, detailed the many areas of study and certification at the district schools. Digital literacy courses start in fifth grade. Each area of study includes three or more classes and results in nationally-recognized and specialized certifications. Students leave these programs qualified to enter technical jobs.
The most common question from the public about these programs is, “Why is that program offered at that school, but not at my school?” The answers are simply teachers and space. It’s challenging to get people who can teach construction or marine mechanics to take time off from those jobs to work as a teacher. And there simply isn’t space at each school for all programs.
The district’s CTE program participation averages about 23% across the district. CTE classes are electives, so students opt into them. The number of enrolled students is up from 19% two years ago.
School bus cameras
Mindy Conn, board chair, asked the district staff if they looked into school bus cameras to discourage drivers from passing stopped buses. These cameras are controversial and school districts around the state are re-evaluating their installation and contracts.
Contractors for these systems typically keep a portion of the fines generated or get paid per reported infraction. Polk County school officials expressed concern that their contract for school bus cameras violates state law, per The Ledger. The Tampa Bay Times reported that the citations haven’t served as much of a deterrent. The costs for maintenance and licensing over the long course haven’t been developed.
Patrick Lefere, district executive director of operations and planning said, “Our outstanding law enforcement partners are watching school traffic very closely to ensure the safety of our students and staff. From the start of school in August through mid-November, the sheriff’s office has made 215 traffic stops and Key West Police have issued 111 citations in and around school zones and bus stops.”
The school board also viewed preliminary architectural plans for the renovation of Reynolds School in Key West. Originally founded in 1927, Reynolds School served as one of the first elementary schools in the Florida Keys and is included on the City of Key West historic registry. This renovation allows the district to vacate the administrative headquarters at Trumbo point so that site can become affordable workforce housing. Through a public-private partnership, the district will develop 150 affordable housing units at its Trumbo Road property at no cost to taxpayers.
