Florida Preps for Next School Year

By Elise Fisch

  The Florida Union Free School District Board of Education convened on Thurs., Mar. 4 at the S.S. Seward Institute for a work session. The agenda included items such as fire inspection results, budget updates, and the student calendar.

The Board has been anticipating news from the state and federal governments regarding funding for the 2021-2022 school year as they try to put together next year’s budget. There was discussion in the news of the possibility of direct payments to districts for state aid funding, but the Board has received no recent news regarding that possibility. 

There is also the potential of federal stimulus funds, which has yet to be determined by the federal government, but will inevitably (if it passes) affect next year’s budget. There is still much in the dark as far as federal funding and state aid is concerned, but the District’s budget plan is already near completion, reports Howard Cohen, School Business Official for the District.

Student Calendar 

  All area districts will be voting between two proposed calendars to decide on where the breaks (non-school days) will occur during the month of February for the greater region. One option included a week-long break in February, where the other had those days scattered throughout the month. Each district will have one vote. The outcome of this voting process will determine some of Florida’s student calendar for the 2021-2022 school year, which is also currently being put together, and will consist of 187 school days.

Option to Switch

  With the fourth marking period approaching, students will once again have the chance to choose an alternative learning style, making the switch from entirely remote to in-person learning, or vice versa, if they so choose. This will be the final marking period of the 2020-2021 school year. S.S. Seward Institute is ready to accommodate students who request to make the switch to in-person instruction as there is plenty of space available for students.

  Golden Hill Elementary is also capable of accommodating students that would like to attend in-person instruction. There will be a place available in a classroom for every student, and each family is encouraged to make the choice that is best suited for their child’s needs.

Fire Inspection

The District passed its first routine fire inspection of 2021, with few minor changes needed during inspection. The corrections were made immediately, leaving all school buildings completely up to code.

Next Meeting

  The next School Board meeting will be held on Thurs., Mar. 18, at 7 p.m. in the S.S. Seward Institute cafeteria, located at 51 N. Main St. in Florida. At this meeting, Seward senior Bradley Vogt will be honored for his achievement of the National Merit Scholarship Program.