Summary:
Teachers
from across the state of Florida were going to be punished (potential fines and
firings) for being involved in a rally on January 13, 2020. This was because
the state believed teachers leaving their position to teach would be a
violation to report for work and constitutes an illegal strike. This however
was false as teachers across the state were notified that teachers were going
to be involved in the rally for that day, and the state didn’t decide to act on
it. The rally was because teachers, parents and the community wanted improved funding for students and schools,
fair pay and preparation for teachers, and an end to the over-testing of
students and the loss of local control in districts.
The
Problem: Teachers
potentially being penalized for trying to achieve educational reforms across
the state of Florida. The state officials and the actual employees in education
disagreeing on the correct way education should be handled in Florida.
Who:
The
State has the problem of potential classrooms with no teachers. Teachers who
may be out of work. And communities, schools, and students themselves have the
problem on the quality of education being given.
Title: “International
education organization notifies Marion County of data breach potentially
impacting 37,000 students”
Summary:
Pearson notified Marion County Public Schools a data breach happened that affected 37000
students that were enrolled from 2010-2017. None of the information that was
breached was confidential, but public record info under Florida Public Law.
There is a disagreement right now between Pearson and Marion County Public
Schools on who should own that historical information to be able to manage it
or delete it as the breach came from AIMSweb product which formerly kept record
of Marion County Student Data.
The
Problem:
There was a data breach involving a lot of former Marion County Public schools’
students, and a mismanagement of information following the move from Aimsweb to
Pearson in 2017.
Who: Marion County
Public Schools, Pearson, AIMSweb, and the students (2010-2017) affected in the
data breach.
Title: “The last straw: Gainesville ban takes effect”
Summary:
On
January 2nd a straw ban is going to be enforced in Gainesville for
restaurants and stores. Businesses that don’t adhere with the ban after
warnings will receive citations of $250 until they comply. This is to improve
sustainability going forward but has presented some problems, mainly those with
disabilities. The ban hasn’t been enforced in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities for
people with disabilities. According to
the article however the challenge right now is that some restaurants may not
have straws available for people with disabilities, and there are some
innovations, products that need to be thought of in order to help with
sustainability and accessibility.
The Problem:
The need to balance the efforts of sustainability and accessibility of drinking
for all customers in restaurants and stores.
Who: Gainesville’s
stores and restaurants. The disabled population, and the city of Gainesville’s
commissioners.
Title: “Marion Oaks residents furious over distribution
center”
Summary: Marion
Oaks residents have been pushing back over a 200 acre Dollar Tree distribution
center that would be built in Marion Oaks on SW Hwy 484, on a land know as
McGinley Farm. The owner of the land (Mr.McGinley) never wanted the land to be
sold to developers or corporations but was sold in 2017, 14 years after he passed
away in 2003. Residents believe this would
destroy land, habitats, increase crime rates, traffic flow, and potentially
lower home values of property near the distribution center. The county has
already had a distribution center built (AutoZone) that didn’t help in
producing jobs, and there is fear the same will happen. This is because a lot
of the residents in Marion County commute to other places to work rather than
work in Marion County, or are retired.
The Problem: Residents
of Marion Oaks not wanting a distribution center to be built in their area as
they believe it would cause more harm than good to the community.
Who: The
Residents of Marion Oaks, Dollar Tree Stores Inc, and Marion County
Commissioners.
Title: “Dignity
Village closing delayed through homeless transition”
Summary: Dignity Village is
shutting down and a transition has been going on to get the homeless into
actual homes. Provided by GRACE Marketplace, Dignity Village has allowed more
than 200 people to live in the encampment, but the city of Gainesville stopped
accepting new residents in October. Dignity village was supposed to be closed
on January 1, but fence construction delayed the closing for potentially
another 30 days. Until then city officials are wanting to create an area (campground)
where residents can find help in regard to living situations. The hope is that
the county lowers its contribution to GRACE marketplace as they’ve supported
them for a long time, and for the city of Gainesville to prioritize, focus, and
fund their housing projects for the homeless.
The Problem: City of Gainesville and GRACE Marketplace coming up with a plan to help the homeless with more permanent housing solutions as they transition out of Dignity Village.
Who: The homeless of Gainesville, residents of Dignity Village, The City of Gainesville, and Alachua County.
The Problem: City of Gainesville and GRACE Marketplace coming up with a plan to help the homeless with more permanent housing solutions as they transition out of Dignity Village.
Who: The homeless of Gainesville, residents of Dignity Village, The City of Gainesville, and Alachua County.
Raul,
ReplyDeleteThe first story really hit home for me because my mom has been a teacher for about twenty seven years. I believe that they should absolutely not be punished for this because they have the right to protest and free speech just like any one else. The cause that they are speaking for is a good one and there SHOULD be more funding for teachers and schools. Great story!