08-17-2021 DSAHS Governing Board Meeting Agenda Governing Board Facilitator
Governing Board Ronald J.Wasson
Mayor Enid Weisman AM City Manager
Vice Mayor Dr.Linda Marks
Commissioner Jonathan Evans > City Clerk
Commissioner Rachel S.Friedland "-'eq 5 10 Ellnsa L.Horvath,MMC
Commissioner Denise Landman
Commissioner Marc Narotsky DON SOFFER City Attorney
Commissioner Robert Shelley (--�
,AV E N T U RA Weiss Scrota Hellman
HIGH SCHOOL Cole&Bierman
DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL
GOVERNING BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
AUGUST 17, 2021
Following 10 a.m. ACES Governing Board Meeting
Aventura Government Center
19200 West Country Club Drive
Aventura, FL 33180
AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION,ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNING BOARD
FOR THE DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL (DSAHS):
1. CALL TO ORDER\ROLL CALL
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. DISCUSSION AND MOTION APPROVING THE 2021-2022 WELCOME BACK
TO SCHOOL PLAN FOR THE DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL
4. DISCUSSION AND MOTION APPROVING THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL
ACCOUNTABILITY GRADE/SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT RATING FOR THE
DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL
5. OTHER BUSINESS
6. ADJOURNMENT.
This meeting is open to the public.In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,all persons who are
disabled and who need special accommodations to participate in this meeting because of that disability should contact
the Office of the City Clerk, (305) 466-8901 or cityclerk@cityofaventura.com, not later than two days prior to such
proceedings. One or more members of the City of Aventura Advisory Boards may participate in the meeting. Anyone
wishing to appeal any decision made by the Aventura City Commission,acting in its capacity as the Don Soffer Aventura
High School (DSAHS) Governing Board,with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing will need a
record of the proceedings and, for such purpose,may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made,
which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. Agenda items are available
online at cityofaventura.com for viewing and printing,or may be requested through the Office of the City Clerk at(305)
466-8901 or cityclerk@cityofaventura.com.
DON SOFFER
HIGH SCHOOL
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BACKTO SCHOOL PLAN
DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL
2021-2022
CONTENTS
1 Message from Principal
1 Governing Board Recognition
2 Innovative Learning Opportunities
3-4 School Safety Measures and Protocols
5 School Community Protocols
6 Before and After Care, Enrichment and
Extracurricular Activities
6 Final Note
WELCOME BACKTO DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL
2021-2022
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL, DR. McKEE:
Dear Barracuda Community,
The Don Soffer High School faculty and staff are thrilled to join you in providing the highest
17 quality of education for our students. We have learned many lessons during the challenging
last 18 months. We will do all we can to provide for a safe, productive, and joyful learning
environment, as all members of our school community deserve. I-11111IL`
As the risks of the pandemic fluctuate, we will continue to refer to CDC, state, and local
guidance fir safe and effective strategies. Know that we will retain the right to alter practices in a manner
that will provide for the greatest social, emotional, and physical well-being of our school family. You will be
advised when protocols and practices change. %*M)
Our protocols for the opening of school are presented in this handbook. Thank you for r continued trust
as we look strive to remain united and determined to thrive.
Governing Board
DSAHS Governing Board
We are so grateful to the Don Soffer Aventura Governing Ja
Board for their unending dedication and commitment to 177
guiding us through unprecedented challenges and
tremendous adversity.
R ff_ Enid Weisman
The G )verning Board is comprised of our City of Aventura Mayor,City of Aventura
leaders who volunteer their time and expertise to provide
opportunities for all students to have access to a high-
qualit,r educational option in a safe learning environment.
We cc ntinue to work with our board throughout the year
as we face and conquer new challenges and opportunities. Dr.Linda Marks Denise Landman Jonathan Evans
Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner
Seat 1 Seat 2 Seat 3
X �
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�y� a
Robert Shelley Rachel Saltzman Friedland Marc Narotsky
Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner
Seat 4 Seat 5 Seat 6
Ronald J.Wasson
City Manager
WELCOME BACKTO DON SOFFERAVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL
2021-2022
OUR PLANS FOR A SAFE AND INNOVATIVE
LEARNING EXPERIENCE
We are excited to welcome all students back to school in person for the first day of class on Monday, the
23rd of August. We look forward to utilizing our Mobile Classroom to complement our face-to-face
instruction and ensure our students are successful in school and throughout life. Below we have some
examples of other learning opportunities we may implement in our schools.
SMOBILE
C L A S S R 0 0
1. In Class, Extended Learning:
• Opportunity for absent students to view the uploaded recording from
class and stay on-pace.
• Students on extended leave such as hospital homebound c n get
synchronous classroom experience and support.
• Students suspended from school can still access synchronous lessons
and support to stay on track academica�. . `
2. Extending the Reach of the Best Teacher Ilk
• Co-Teaching within the same build or across schools.*
• Support for long-term subs and FMLA leaves. ,
• Opportunity to address teacher concerns that may require a teacher to
work remotely for a period of time.
• Teachers can upload lessons for students to view when the teacher will
be absent.
3. Stage, Not Age, Personalized Learning:
• Create flexible scheduling options for a student to take the academically appropriate
course and accelerate, not follow a traditional promotion pathway.
• Create synchronous and asynchronous lessons tailored to each student in the classroom
• Utilize formative data to assess student performance and growth for accountability.*
* Pending approval from the State.
BACKTO SCHOOL PLAN
DON SOFFERAVENTURA H I GH SCHOOL
SCHOOL SAFETY MEASURES AND PROTOCOLS (OPTION A)
We are taking several steps to ensure the safety of everyone at our school and to maintain a healthy learning
environment. Current measures that may be put into place include:
✓ Face coverings are optional yet highly recommended for students.*
✓ Face coverings are required for teachers, staff, and visitors when inside, except when instructing with
proper social distance.*
✓ Visitors must sign a COVID-19 waiver before entering the building and complete questionnaire.
✓ Sharing food is not permitted.
✓ Routine sanitization of facilities will be performed throughout the day.
✓ We will utilize the Clorox Total 360 Electrostatic
disinfectant sprayer as necessary.
There will be periodic handwashing breaks for students
and staff.
Signage throughout the school will reinforce safety — 7
protocols.
Hand sanitizing stations will be placed in high-traffic
areas. !�
Student attendance will be monitored daily. + '
DSAHS will follow protocols for reporting symptoms
and initiating contact investigation/tracing in
collaboration with the district and/or state agenci s �r l y
recommended. `L �
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Regular replacement of quality air?filtrs for HVAC systems will occur.
CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT PROCEDURES
Face coverings are optional yet highly recommended for students.*
Face coverings are required for teachers, staff, and visitors when inside, except when instructing with
proper social distance.*
✓ There will be periodic handwashing breaks for students and staff.
✓ Hand sanitizer available in each classroom.
✓ Outdoor space will utilized as much as possible.
NOW
CAFETERIA/MEAL
✓ All m als will be served in the cafeteria.
✓ Food safety practices will be in place before, during and after mealtimes
*We will monitor CDC, state, and local guidance.
WELCOME BACK TO 1
SCHOOL SAFETY MEASURES AND PROTOCOLS (OPTION 6)
We are taking several steps to ensure the safety of everyone at our school and to maintain a healthy learning
environment. Current measures that may be put into place include:
✓ Face coverings are required for students. Parents have the ability to opt-out of this requirement.*
✓ Face coverings are required for teachers, staff, and visitors when inside, except when instructing with
proper social distance.*
✓ Visitors must sign a COVID-19 waiver before entering the building and complete questionnaire.
✓ Sharing food is not permitted.
✓ Routine sanitization of facilities will be performed throughout the day.
✓ We will utilize the Clorox Total 360 Electrostatic
disinfectant sprayer as necessary.
There will be periodic handwashing breaks for students
and staff.
Signage throughout the school will reinforce safety 7
protocols. '
Hand sanitizing stations will be placed in high-traffic !�
areas.
Student attendance will be monitored daily.
DSAHS will follow protocols for reporting symptoms
and initiating contact investigation/tracing in
collaboration with the district and/or state agencies
recommended. �
Regular replacement of quality air filters for HVAC systems will occur.
CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT PROCEDURES
✓ Face coverings are required or students. Parents have the ability to opt-out of this requirement.*
✓ Face coverings are re.red for teachers, staff, and visitors when inside, except when instructing with
proper social di ta�i�e.
✓ There will be pe dic handwashing breaks for students and staff.
✓ Hand sanitizes ailable in each classroom.
✓ Outdoor space will be utilized as much as possible.
CAFETERIA/MEALS
✓ All meals will be served in the cafeteria.
od safety practices will be in place before, during and after mealtimes
*We will monitor CDC, state, and local guidance.
BACKTO SCHOOL PLAN
DON SOFFERAVENTURA H I GH SCHOOL
BUS TRANSPORTATION
✓ Face masks are required for drivers and students.
The executive order requiring masks on public
transit applies to school buses regardless of
individual school policy masks must be worn on
school buses.
✓ Windows should be open when possible and
conditions allow.
✓ Frequently touched areas on the buses will be Ic
cleaned and disinfected at least once per day.
CLINIC ANNEX—Optional per school
✓ For students showing symptoms, a separate clinic
annex will be available to eliminate potential
exposure to others.
✓ Students will maintain social distancing guidelines,
and areas will be cleaned and disinfected after the
sick child has gone home.
AIR FLOW/VENTILATION
✓ HVAC systems will continue to be maintained as required by the Indoor Air Quality Standards
ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL
✓ Follow arrival and,,dis salirotocols as stated in the school's student/parent handbook.
VISITORS `
✓ Face masks are required for all visitors.
✓ Visitors must sign a COVID-19 waiver before entering the building and complete questionnaire
'R Z'
WELCOME BACK DON SO FFERAVENTURAHOO
SCHOOL COMMUNITY PROTOCOLS
We need everyone in our school community to also self-check and assess to sustain the health and safety
of everyone that enters our school. While we've put several protocols in place within our facility, it takes
the efforts of everyone once they leave our facility to keep each other safe. Therefore, we ask that
everyone consider the following protocols as well, as these are steps, we are asking our families and staff
to follow:
Before arriving each morning, we want to ask our families and staff to ask themselves COVID-19 & health-
related screening questions.
HAVE YOU 48 • •
HAVE YOU • YOU
CONTACT • OF • UGH, FEVER, SHORTNESS OF
• OR • THROAT?
HAVE YOU AD VOMITING
HAVE YOU • OF
TASTE OR SMELL? OR DIARRHEA IN THE LAST
• •
Employees and students with symptoms should stay home and report they are experiencing symptoms.
Employees and students who test positive are asked to self-report their positive finding, stay home and
quarantine themselves, following CDC guidelines.
If a student falls ill on campus the parent will be called and asked to pick-up student.
If a student or employee tests positive and has recently been at school, the school will initiate all contact
tracing and communicate protocols required by health agencies. Families and staff directly exposed (as
defined by the CDC) will be notified appropriately.
Students that have a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, have been quarantined for exposure, or have contagious
illness, will be able to access continuation of learning programs until they are cleared to go back to the
school.
BACKTO SCHOOL PLAN
DON SOFFERAVENTURA H I GH SCHOOL
ATHLETIC AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
ATHLETICS
All athletic programs will resume as usual with additional safety protocols.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
All extracurricular activities will resume as usual with additional safety protocols.
GATHERINGS AND-FIELD TRIPS
All gatherings and field trips will resume as usual with additional safety protocols.
A FINAL NOTE
Thank you for your support and flexibility. We look forward to a c school year.
Please direct any questions or concerns you may have to th c gether, we will continue
to focus on putting our students first.
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WELCOME
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3
Notice of Emergency Rule
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Division of Disease Control
RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
64DER21-12 Protocols for Controlling COVID-19 in School Settings
SPECIFIC REASONS FOR FINDING AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TOT PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR
WELFARE: Because a recent increase in COVID-19 infections, largely due to the spread of the COVID-19 delta
variant,coincides with the imminent start of the school year,it is imperative that state health and education authorities
provide emergency guidance to school districts concerning the governance of COVID-19 protocols in schools.
Accordingly,pursuant to its authority to adopt rules governing the control of preventable communicable diseases in
public schools,see section 1003.22(3),Florida Statutes,the Florida Department of Health,after consultation with the
Department of Education,hereby promulgates an emergency rule regarding COVID-19 protocols in public schools to
encourage a safe and effective in-person learning environment for Florida's schoolchildren during the upcoming
school year;to prevent the unnecessary removal of students from school; and to safeguard the rights of parents and
their children.
This emergency rule conforms to Executive Order Number 21-175,which ordered the Florida Department of Health
and the Florida Department of Education to ensure safety protocols for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in schools
that(1)do not violate Floridians' constitutional freedoms;(2)do not violate parents'rights under Florida law to make
health care decisions for their minor children;and(3)protect children with disabilities or health conditions who would
be harmed by certain protocols, such as face masking requirements. The order,which is incorporated by reference,
directs that any COVID-19 mitigation actions taken by school districts comply with the Parents' Bill of Rights, and
"protect parents'right to make decisions regarding masking of their children in relation to COVID-19."
Because of the importance of in-person leaming to educational, social, emotional and mental well-being,removing
healthy students from the classroom for lengthy quarantines should be limited at all costs. Under Florida law,parents
have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of their minor children
and have the right to make health care decisions for their minor children. HB 241, Ch. 2021-199, Laws of Fla. In
furtherance of the Florida Department of Health's authority to adopt rules governing the control of preventable
communicable diseases—and because students benefit from in-person learning—it is necessary to immediately
promulgate a rule regarding COVID-19 safety protocols that protects parents' rights and to allow for in-person
education for their children.Removing children from school poses a threat to developmental upbringing and should
not occur absent a heightened showing of illness or risk of illness to other students.
REASON FOR CONCLUDING THAT THE PROCEDURE IS FAIR UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES: This
emergency rule is necessary in light of the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Florida and the urgent need to provide
COVID-19 guidance to school districts before the upcoming school year commences. Given that a majority of schools
will resume in-person leaming for the 2021-2022 school year within the next four weeks,there is insufficient time to
adopt the rule through non-emergency process.
SUM[MARY:Emergency rule 64DER21-12 sets forth the procedures for controlling COVID-19 in school settings.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE EMERGENCY RULE IS: Carina Blackmore, Florida
Department of Health,4052 Bald Cypress Way,Tallahassee,Florida 32399-1703,(850)245-4732.
THE FULL TEXT OFT EMERGENCY RULE IS:
64DER21-12 Protocols for Controlling COVID-19 in School Settings
(1)GENERAL PROTOCOLS AND DEFINITION.The following procedures should be instituted to govern the
control of COVID-19 in public schools:
(a)Schools should encourage routine cleaning of classrooms and high-traffic areas,
(b)Students should be encouraged to practice routine handwashing througfiout the day,
(c)Students should AU home if they are sick.
(d) Students mgy wear masks or facial coverings as a mitigation measure,however,the school must allow for a
parent or legal guardian of the student to opt-out the student from wepdpg-g face covering ormask,
(e)For DWOSeS of this rule,"direct contact"means cumulative exposure for at least 15 minutes,within six feet.
(2)PROTOCOLS FOR SYMPTOMATIC OR COVID-19 POSITIVE STUDENTS. Students experiencing any
Emptoms consistent with COVID-19 or who have received a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 should not attend
school,school-sponsored activities,or be on school property until:
(a)The student receives a negative diagnostic COVID-19 test and is as, tomatic-,or
(b)Ten days have passed since the onset of a)pVtoms or positive test result,the student has had no fever for 24
hours and the student's other nMptoms are improving;or
-(c)The student receives written permission to return to school from a medical doctor licensed under chapter 458,
an osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 459, or an advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed under
chapter 464.
(3)PROTOCOLS FOR STUDENTS WITH EXPOSURE TO COVID-19. Students who are known to have been
in direct contact with an individual who received a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 should not attend school,
school-sponsored activities,or be on school property until:
(a)The student is as3gMtomatic and receives a negative diagnostic COVID-19 test after four days from the date
of last exposure to the COVID-19 positive individual,or
O&The student is as3pptomatic and seven dgys have passed since the date of last exposure.to the COVID-19
positive individual.
(c)If a student becomes symptomatic following exposure to an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19,
the student should follow the procedures set forth in subsection(2),above.
(44) PROTOCOL FOR STUDENTS WITH PRIOR COVID-19 INFECTION. A student who has received a
positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 in the previous 90 days and who is known to have been in direct contact with
an individual who has received a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 is not subject to the protocols set forth in
subsection(3).so long as the student remains aZmptomatic.If a student with a previous COVID-19 infection becomes
Zmptomatic, the student should follow the procedures set forth in subsection (2), above. This subsection =lies
equally to students that are fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
(55) TESTING. AM COVID-19 testing of minors at school requires informed written consent from a parent or
legal guardian.
(6)NON-DISCRIMINATION. Students whose parents or legal guardian have opted them out of a mask or face
covering requirement shall not be subject to any harassment or discriminator y treabnent,including but not limited to:
La)Relegation to certain physical locations*
(b)Isolation during school activities;or
(c)Exclusion from any school-sponsored events or activities.
Rulemaking Authority 1003.220)FS.Law Implemented 1003.22(3)FS.History New.
THIS RULE TAKES EFFECT UPON BEING FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE UNLESS A LATER
TIME AND DATE IS SPECIFIED IN THE RULE.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Scott A.Rivkees,MD Date
State Surgeon General
NOTICE OF EMERGENCY RULE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
RULE No.: 6AER21-01
RULE TITLE: Pupil Attendance Records for COVID-19.
SPECIFIC REASONS FOR FINDING AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC
HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE: Given the recent rise in COVID-19 infections, largely
driven by the spread of the delta variant, and the impending start to the 2021-2022 school year,
the Florida Department of Education has been working to assist the Florida Department of
Health in the development of minimum protocols governing the control of COVID-19 in public
schools. As school districts seek to impose new COVID-19 restrictions on students, emergency
rulemaking is necessary here to protect the rights of students and their parents or guardians.
This rule conforms to Executive Order Number 21-175, which ordered the Florida Department of
Health and the Florida Department of Education to immediately execute rules and to take any
additional agency action necessary, using all legal means available to ensure safety protocols for
controlling the spread of COVID-19 in schools that(1) do not violate Floridians' constitutional
freedoms; (2) do not violate parents' rights under Florida law to make health care decisions for
their minor children; and (3)protect children with disabilities or health conditions who would be
harmed by certain protocols, such as face masking requirements. The order, which is
incorporated by reference, directs that any actions taken by school districts comply with the
Parents' Bill of Rights, codified in Sections 1014.02— 1014.06, Fla. Stat., and"protect parents'
right to make decisions regarding masking of their children in relation to COVID-19." Parental
rights include the right to make health care decisions for minor children, unless prohibited by law
and the right to direct the education and care of minor children. See, Section 1014.04, Fla. Stat.
In order to ensure compliance with the law and state board rule, under Section 1008.32, Fla.
Stat., the State Board of Education has authority to withhold from school districts state funds,
discretionary grant funds, discretionary lottery funds or any other funds specified as eligible for
this purpose by the legislature, until the district comes into compliance.
Many school districts have or are expected to implement"stay-home" directives for students
who have been exposed to or who contracted COVID-19 for the upcoming school year. These
directives will result in learning loss for students unless plans are enacted to continue learning
during"stay-home" days. As a result, it is necessary to amend the pupil attendance rule to set
forth the requirements to count these days as an educational activity for the purpose of pupil
attendance. Section 1003.23, Fla. Stat. provides that"[s]tudents may be counted in attendance
only if they are actually present at school or are away from school on a school day and are
engaged in an educational activity which constitutes a part of the school-approved instructional
1
program for the student. While Rule 6A-1.044, Pupil Attendance Records, includes similar
language, there is no criteria to establish"an educational activity which constitutes a part of the
school-approved instructional program for the student." Given that public schools throughout
the state open in August and some open in less than one week, there is not sufficient time to
proceed through normal rulemaking procedures before school starts in order to address the
potential for learning loss to students under"stay-home" directives.
Based upon the foregoing and in compliance with the Governor's executive order, the agency
finds that the potential for learning loss for certain students when school starts in August, creates
an immediate danger to the public health, safety and welfare of students and requires emergency
action.
REASONS FOR CONCLUDING THAT PROCEDURE USED IS FAIR UNDER THE
CIRCUMSTANCES: There are multiple reasons for concluding that the procedure used is fair
under these circumstances. First, as noted above, because school begins in August, there is not
sufficient time to adopt a rule through non-emergency means before the start of the 2021-22
school year. The Governor's Executive Order 21-175issued just days ago. Next, the agency
has received multiple requests to clarify the protocols and processes schools should utilize when
planning for reopening schools given the presence of COVID-19 and the varied health and
educational needs of students. Further, the procedure is fair because the rule relies upon an order
of the Governor, which is public, and the emergency rule was made public by publishing it on
the Department's website in an effort to reach interested persons prior to consideration by the
State Board of Education. Finally, because the agency is headed by a board, rather than an
individual, the rule will be considered at a public meeting before the State Board of Education,
with the opportunity for public input prior to adoption. While this period is an abbreviated one,
given the need to act quickly to avoid harm to students, the agency is of the opinion that the
procedure utilized is fair to interested and affected persons.
SUMMARY OF THE RULE: The emergency rule provides criteria to avoid learning loss and
consider a student in attendance, when under a"stay-home" directive due to COVID-19.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE EMERGENCY RULE IS: Jacob
Oliva, Chancellor of Public Schools.
THE FULL TEXT OF THE EMERGENCY RULE IS:
6AER21-01 Pupil Attendance Records for COVID-19.
(1)Definitions. "Stay-home" directive means a public K-12 student who is under a quarantine
2
order or is not physically present in school due to contact with, or the asymptomatic contraction
of, COVID-19.
(2)In accordance with Rule 6A-1.044,Pupil Attendance Records,Fla. Admin. Code R., a pupil
shall be deemed to be in attendance if actually present at school, or away from school on a school
day and engaged in an educational activity which constitutes a part of the school-approved
instructional program for that pupil.
(3) Where an asymptomatic student is under a stay-home directive, the student may only be
considered in attendance if the following criteria are met:
(a)The district has adopted procedures to continue the education of the student during the stay-
home directive,
(b) These procedures rely upon continuing the student's access to assignments and curriculum
the student would be receiving were the student was physically present in school, and
(c) Instructional personnel or administrative personnel, as defined in section 1012.01, F.S.,
must be available to assist the student with assignments and curriculum during the stay-home
directive.
Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (2)(n)FS. Law Implemented 1003.23 FS. History New.
THIS RULE TAKES EFFECT UPON BEING FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE
UNLESS A LATER TIME AND DATE IS SPECIFIED IN THE RULE.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
3
Ft.O FDA DEPARTMENT OF
State Board of Education —f1doe.org Richard Corcoran
Commissioner of Education
Tom Grady,Chair
Ben Gibson,Vice Chair
Members
Monesia Brown
Marva Johnson
Ryan Petty
Andy Tuck
Joe York
August 9, 2021
r. Rocky Hanna Ms. Georgia Bowen
Superintendent School Board Chair
Leon County Schools Leon County Schools
2757 West Pensacola Street 2757 West Pensacola Street
Tallahassee, FL 32304 Tallahassee, FL 32304
Dear Superintendent Hanna and Chair Bowen:
This letter is sent to express my grave concern regarding your district's significant neglect in
response to the recently adopted Emergency Rule 64DER21-12 from the Florida Department of
Health(FDOH). This order, issued on August 6, 2021,by the Florida Surgeon General, Dr.
Scott Rivkees, is explicit in its expectations for ensuring that any mandated mask policies
imposed by a district or school "must allow for a parent or legal guardian of the student to opt-
out the student from wearing a face covering or mask." The emergency rule does not require
parents to submit medical documentation from a physician or a nurse practitioner in order to opt
out and any such requirement is inconsistent with the emergency rule. Your district's response,
as noted in our conversation, and in recent letters sent to parents/guardians, as well as public
statements made during press events this week indicate that you have no current intentions of
complying with this order, which is intended to guarantee choice options to parents/guardians
regarding their child while also protecting families and students federal and state protected rights
to privacy.
Section 1008.32, Florida Statutes, states, "The State Board of Education shall oversee the
performance of district school boards and the Florida College System institution board of
trustees in enforcement of all laws and rules." Further, section 1008.32(2)(a), Florida Statutes,
states that the "Commissioner of Education may investigate allegations of noncompliance with
law or state board rule and determine probable cause."
Based on this authority established in law, I am immediately initiating an investigation of non-
compliance with rules adopted by the Florida Department of Health and the Florida State Board
of Education on August 6, 2021. In commencing this investigation, I am demanding that you
provide a written response by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, documenting how your
district is complying with FDOH rule 64DER21-12. Any failure to adequately document and
substantiate full compliance with this rule will result in sanctions permitted under law in section
1008.32(4)(b), Florida Statutes.
325 W.Gaines Street I Tallahassee,FL 32399-0400 1 850-245-0505
Mr. Rocky Hanna/Ms. Georgia Bowen
August 9, 2021
Page 2
Depending on the facts presented, I may recommend to the State Board of Education that the
Department withhold funds in an amount equal to the salaries for the Superintendent and all the
members of the School Board.
There is no room for error or leniency when it comes to ensuring compliance with policies that
allow parents and guardians to make health and educational choices for their children.
Therefore, it is imperative that you work together as the Superintendent and the School Board to
remedy this glaring non-compliance and report the resolution to the Florida Department of
Education by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
Again, if this matter is not addressed by submitting the documentation establishing compliance
with the law, the maximum accountability measures provided for under the law will be imposed.
Sincerely,
Richard Corcoran
Commissioner
Ellisa Horvath
From: Ronald 1 Wasson
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2021 1:31 PM
To: Ellisa Horvath
Subject: FW: 2020-2021 School Accountability Grade/School Improvement Rating
Follow Up Flag: FollowUp
Flag Status: Flagged
Back-up for Item for Grade item..
Ronald J. Wasson
City Manager
City of Aventura
19200 West Country Club Drive
Aventura, Florida 33180
rwasson(cDcitvofaventura.com
www.citvofaventura.com
Office: 305-466-8910
Fax: 305-466-8919
w, S
2020-2021 Schoolill / School
Improvement1
THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS BEING DELIVERED ON BEHALF OF
® TIFFANIE A. PAULINE, ASSISTANT
COMPLIANCE
Honorable Mayor Weisman,
Pursuant to Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Emergency Order (EO) No. 2021-EO-02, issued on April
9, 2021, school districts have 30 days after the release of all statewide standardized assessment data to apply
to the FDOE to "opt-in" to have one or more 2020-21 school grades or School Improvement Rating officially
recorded and reported for statutory purposes. Eligible schools will not be assigned a school grade or School
Improvement Rating unless the school board applies to opt-in. To this end, the 30-day opt-in window which
began July 29, 2021, will end on August 30, 2021.
liriiility
Schaal Grade: To be eligible to opt-in for a school grade, a school must have tested at least 90 percent
of its eligible students. If the school tested 95 percent or more of its students, the opt-in request will be
presumptively approved by the FDOE. If the school tested at least 90 percent, but less than 95 percent
1
of its students, the FDOE will review the request to determine whether the grade reflects the progress of
the school. Schools that tested fewer than 90 percent of their students are not eligible to receive
a school grade.
School Improvement To be eligible to opt-in for a School Improvement Rating, a school must
have tested at least 80 percent of its eligible students, as provided in section (s.) 1008.341(2), Florida
Statutes (F.S.). Schools that tested fewer than 80 percent of their students are not eligible to
receive a School Improvement Rating.
This purpose of this correspondence is to provide information specific to charter schools regarding the
process for opting-in/out to receive a School Accountability Grade or School Improvement Rating.
For charter schools:
1. The decision to opt-in MUST be determined by the charter school's governing board; and,
2. Charter school requests to opt-in MUST be submitted to the District and the District will submit
to the FDOE on behalf of the charter school governing board. Individual schools may not submit
opt-in requests directly to the FDOE.
For your convenience, accountability data and initial grade/rating calculation for the school(s) operated
by the governing board is included as an MS Excel attachment to this correspondence.
ption : Opting In
Only charter school governing boards are authorized to apply to opt-in to receive a School Accountability Grade
or School Improvement Rating. If the charter school governing board chooses to opt-in to receive a 2020-21
School Grade or School Improvement Rating, officially recorded and reported for statutory purposes, for its
school(s), the governing board chair must complete a letter on official letterhead using the format provided in
Attachment A: Opt-in Letter and submit via email to a i nakoch(c-Ddadeschools.net no later than Friday, August
20, 2021.
If any changes in the school's data are being requested, the governing board must identify these changes in
include them in the opt-in letter. The opt-in data review and corrections period will replace the traditional appeals
window outlined in State Board of Education Rule 6A-1.09981, Florida Administrative Code. Schools requesting
changes must work through CSCS and the Office of Assessment Research and Data Analysis (A A). Please
notify Gina Koch, Executive Director, in the Office of Charter School Compliance and Support at
ginakocha-dadeschools.net immediately to facilitate this process.
Instructions for Document Submission ®Opt In.
Step 1: Prepare a letter on official letterhead indicating that [name of legal entity, Inc.]chooses to
opt-in to receive a 2020-21 School Grade or School Improvement Rating, officially
recorded and reported for statutory purposes, for the following schools indicated in the
attachment.
The letter, on letterhead, must be addressed to:
Ms. Tracy Halley, Bureau Chief
544 Turlington Building
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
The letter must be signed by the governing board chair, or an agent legally authorized
by the governing board.
2
Step 2: Complete and sign the Opt-in form (Attachment A) for schools that elect to have a
School Accountability Grade/School Improvement Rating assigned for the 2020-21
School year.
Step 3: Scan and email to ginakoch(c-Ddadeschools.net no later than Friday, August 20,
2021.
pion mOpting Out
To ensure all schools are accounted for, CSCS is requiring similar notification of the governing board's
decision to NOT opt-in/Opt-out of having a School Grade or School Improvement Ratings issued for any of its
schools. Therefore, if not choosing option B, please complete the Attachment B: Opt-out Form and submit
via email to g i nakoch(c-Ddadeschools.net no later than Friday, August 20, 2021.
Instructions for Document Submission ®Opt Out:
Stepl: Complete and sign the Opt Out form (Attachment B) for schools WILL NOT be electing to
have a School Accountability Grade/ School Improvement Rating assigned for the
2020-21 School year. No letter is required, only submission of the Attachment B.
Step 2: Sign the form, scan and mail to g i nakoch(a)dadeschools.net no later than Friday, August
20, 2021.
Should you have any questions, please contact Ms. Gina Koch at ginakoch(Ebdadeschools.net or (305) 995-
1955.
3
DEPARTMENTSTATE OF FLORIDA
IN RE: WAIVING STRICT DOE ORDER NO. 202 1
ADHERENCETO FLORIDA
EDUCATION P C
rn
PURSUANT T
EXECUTIVE
5 , MADE NECESSARYT
COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCY
a
.rf
WHEREAS, EMERGENCY ORDER
the Governor of the State of Florida issued Executive Order No. 2145,
ratifying in Executive Order No. 2 -52,declaring a state of emergency in response
to the C V -19 Public Health Emergency; and,
WHEREAS, in Florida Division of Emergency Mana t Order No. 2 e State
Coordinating Officer directed the Floridat of Education, in or °nation with
educational providers, to take all appropriate action to promote the health, safety, welfare and
education of Florida's students during teemergency; ,
e Commissioner of Education issued E Order No.20 -07 to build
on the successful of all public schools to on instruction; to promote parental
choice while ensuring that every student is making adequate academic progress; and to provide
financial continuity to enable each school district to maintain the full panoply of services r the
benefit of Floridais andfamilies; ,
WHEREAS, thanks to Florida's courageous and dedicated educators and local school
leaders,all 67 county school districts,all state university laboratory schools and the Florida School
for the Deaf and the Blind opened for in-person instruction so that nearly 80 percent of Florida's
public school students(greater than 2.2million) are learning in-person; and,
WHEREAS, with i io te numbers of educationallyi v to students
leaming off-campus or not attending school at all, achievement ps for these students may he
exacerbated this school year. Moreover,many students who are not educationally disadvantaged
are attending school virtually or in hybrid modalitiesfor the first time,and may have achievernent
gaps that are atypical for the student; and,
e testing that is required state and federal law is now more critical than
ever so that educators e u progress and identify gaps in learning in this
atypical and challenging year.These measurements help to determine what additional services
DOE ORDER NO. 2021-EO-02
supports are needed t®provide every student with the opportunity to succeed in school and in life
beyond school; and,
WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Education issued DOE Order No. 2021-EO-01,
expanding the statewide testing windows to ensure that every student can be safely tested. Even
so, due to the pandemic, it is anticipated that the percentage of students that are able to be tested
may be to this year, at least in certain areas of the state. Lower percentages of students who
participate in statewide testing can to the reliability of the results at the school, district and
state level; and,
WHEREAS, each student has individualized circumstances and challenges caused by the
pandemic, including changes in learning modality, intermittent quarantine periods as required by
local Department of Health officials,social isolation,and a host of other factors that students have
experienced;and,
WHEREAS, to school districts, in consultation with parents, are in the best position to
evaluate the academic progress of each student and then to make individualized decisions related
to student progression and graduation ® keeping with the best interest of each child.
NOW, THEREFORE, 1, Richard Corcoran, Commissioner of the Florida Department of
Education, pursuant to the authority granted by Executive Order 20-52 and Florida Division of
Emergency Management Order No.20-004,issue this Order to respond to and mitigate the impact
of the emergency and to promote the health,safety and welfare of persons connected with Florida's
educational system.
To mitigate the impacts of the emergency,the statutes from the following chapters and the
associated rules are suspended to the extent required to give effect to this Order: Chapters 1002,
1003, 1008, and 1009. As more specifically set forth in the Order, the statutes that must be
suspended to give effect to this Order include the following: 1002.33(g)(n) and (16)(a)2.;
1002.331; 1002.333(1)(c), 1002.61(2Xa); 1002,89(6); 1003.631; 1003.4282(3) and (6);
1003.4285; 1008.22-. 1008.25(5); 1008.33(4); 1008.34; 1008.341; 1009.534(1)(e); 1009.535(l)(e);
1009.536(l)(e) and (2)(b); and 101 1.62(l)(f) and (9), Fla. Stat. Any provision is suspended only
to the extent necessary to give effect to this Order.
1. Graduating seniors
Florida law allows students entering grade nine to choose from one of five options to earn a
standard high school diploma:
24-credit program
• 18-credit,Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning(ACCEL) option
• Career and Technical Education(CTE)Pathway
• International Baccalaureate(113) curriculum
Advanced International Certificate of Education(AICE)curriculum
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DOE ORDER NO. 2021-EO-02
In addition to the five options available for students toe a standard diploma listed above,
Rule 6A41.09963,Florida Administrative Code,High School Graduation Require mentsfor
Students with Disabilities,outlines two additional options that students with disabilities may
complete.
Graduation waivers.Currently enrolled students who are expected to graduate in the spring of
2021 are expected to pass the assessments to cam a standard high school diploma pursuant to S.
10014282, Fla. Stat. However,notwithstanding ss. 1003.4282(3)and(6) and 1008.22(3),Fla.
Stat.,and solely fbr students who are expected to graduate in the spring of 2021,a school district
is authorized to waive the required state assessments for graduation,if the district detennines on
a case-by-caw basis that the student's high school record establishes a comparable level of
achievement. School districts must report these waivers to the Department on survey five.
Designation waivers.Additionally, school districts are authorized to waive the requirement to
use assessments to earn standard high school diploma designations found in s. 1003.4285, Fla.
tat.,solely for students expected to graduate in the spring of 202 1. A school district is
authorized to grant such waivers only where the district determines on a case-by-case basis that
the student's high school record establishes a comparable level of achievement.
Application toe schools. This section applies equally to charter schools. Charter school
governing boards must use best efforts to maintain standards consistent with the school district.
Either a school district or a charter school governing board may request assistance from the
Department to resolve any disputes over whether a student's high school record establishes an
equivalent level of achievement as passage of the state assessment. The Department will seek to
resolve such disputes within three business days.The Department may withhold approval of any
requests from the school district related to this Order until all such disputes, if any,have been
resolved.
The use of alternative means to determine that a student has met the requirements for graduation
in lieu of the results of statewide assessments is limited to the students expected to graduate in
the spring of 202 1.
IL Promotion and retention decisions
State EOC exams. Notwithstanding the requirements of ss. 1008.22, 1008.25 and 1003.4282,
Fla. Stat., school districts and charter school governing boards are authorized to determine
promotion and final course grades in classes with state end-of-course(BOC)exams, based solely
on the student's perfomiance in the course, including in instances where the student does not have
a score fi-om the BOC exam. This authorization only applies to courses students successfully
completed in the 00® 1 school year.
Retention. Decisions out whether it is in the best interest of a child to repeat a grade solely for
academic reasons must be determined at the local level by the school's principal, after a careful
review of the student's academic record, with input from the parents, the student, teachers and
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DOE ORDER NO. 2021-EO-02
school leaders.Only academic performance,or provisions in a student's Individualized Education
Program(1EP), can be considered when discussing a child repeating a grade.
Third grade promotion. Notwithstanding the requirements found in s. 1008.25(5), Fla. Stat., a
student may be promoted to grade four, regardless of the absence of an English Language Azts
(ELA) assessment score or the absence of a Level 2 or higher ELA score, if the district is able to
determine that a student is perkming at least at Level 2 on the ELA assessment through the good
cause exemption process provided in s. 1008.25, Fla. Stat., or other means reasonably calculated
to provide reliable evidence of a student's performance.
Extra support for struggling students. Fors that are at risk of being retained,the school
district and charter schools must provide extra supports in concert with those interventions required
under DOE Order No.20204EO-07.While this Order provides authority for school districts to use
alternative means to determine achievement for students expected to graduate in the spring of
2021, in order to ensure that students who are scheduled to graduate after this year meet the
standards established in statute and rule, school districts must begin remediation efforts. Priority
must be given to students at risk of being retained for summer learning programs. The district
must use best efforts to assign these students, with priority to a highly effective teacher, and
thereafter,if necessary, assign to an effective teacher.
III. Bright Futures
A. Florida Academic Scholars and Florida Medallion Scholars awards.
Volunteer hours. For currently enrolled students expected to graduate in the spring of 2021 only,
ss. 1009.534(l) and 1009.535(1), Fla. Stat., and Rule 6A-20.028(3)(d), F.A.C., are suspended in
part,to allow high school guidance counselors,or other persons approved by a district school board
or the administrator of a nonpublic school, to submit transcript documentation to the Florida
Department of Education to report compliance with the required number of volunteer service hours
for scholarship eligibility if the student 1) completed the service hours; 2) had planned for, and
intended to, complete the service hours for to the student's high school graduation, but was
unable to do s®because the pandernic created a lack of access to volunteer opportunities; or 3)if,
due to health concerns, the student fell short of the volunteer service hours. Such documentation
shall be considered as evidence that a student has completed the required number of volunteer
service hours for scholarship eligibility.
Extension of testing deadline. Rule 6A-20.028(3)(g)].d., F.A.C., is suspended in part, to allow
students graduating in the 2020-21 academicy ,to earn at least the required minimurn SAT and
ACT scores asspecified for each Bright Futures Scholarship award level in s. 1009.531(6), Fla.
Stat., no later than December 1, 2021. Sections of the SAT or ACT from different test dates may
continue to be used to meet the test criteria through December 1, 2021, but test types cannot be
mixed.
B. Florida Gold Sea] Vocational Sehol2rs award.
Volunteer hours. For currently enrolled students expected to graduate in the spring of 2021 only,
s. 1009.536(1)(e), Fla. Stat., is suspended in part, to allow high school guidance counselors, or
other persons approved by a district school board or the administrator of a nonpublic school, to
submit transcript documentation to the Florida Department of Education to report complianm with
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DOE ORDER NO. 2021-EO-02
the required number of volunteer service hours for scholarsliip eligibility if the student 1)
completed the service hours; 2) had planned for,and intended to, complete the service hours prior
to the student's high school graduation but was unable to do so because the pandemic created a
lack of access to volunteer opporturiffies; or 3)if, due to health concerns, the student fell short of
the volunteer service hours. Such documentation shall be considered as evidence that a student has
completed the required number of volunteer service hours for scholarship eligibility.
Extension of testing deadline. Rule 6A-20.028(3)(g)2., F.A.C., is suspended in part, to allow
students graduating in the 2020-21 academic year,toe at least the min4num quali ng subtest
scores from the Florida Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT), SAT or ACT as
specified in Rule 6A-1 0.0315, F.A.C.,no later than December 1,202 1. Sections of the PERT, AT
or ACT from different test dates may continue to be used to meet the test criteria through December
1, 021,but test types cannot be mixed.
C. Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award.
Volunteer hours.For currently enrolled students expected to graduate in the spring of 2021 only,
s. 1009.536(2)(b), Fla. Stat., is suspended in part, to allow high school guidance counselors, or
other persons approved by a district school board or die administrator of a nonpublic school, to
submit transcript documentation to the Florida Department of Education to report compliance with
the required number of volunteer service hours for scholarship eligibility if the student 1)
completed the service hours; 2)had planned for, and intended to, complete the service hours prior
to the student's high school graduation but was unable to do so because the pandernic created a
lack of access to volunteer opportunities; or 3) if, due to health concerns, the student fell short of
the volunteer service hours. Such docurnentation shall be considered as evidence that a student has
completed the required number of volunteer service hours for scholarship eligibility.
V. Opting in to school grades and school improvement ratings
A. Grades, improvement ratings and VAINI.
Except for districts and schools opting-in, as outlined in section W.C. of this Order, in lieu of
school grades and school improvement ratings under ss. 1008.34 and 1008.341, Fla. Star., for the
2020-21 academic year, the Department will update its Know Your Schools federally compliant
public reporting too] excluding surnmative district and school grades and school improvement
ratings. The flexibility provided to school districts and charter schools is limited to the 2020-21
school year.
Rule 6A-5.041 1, F.A°C., is suspended in part such that the three-year aggregate VAM scores will
contain available teacher performance information from the 2017-18,2018-19 and 2020-21 school
years,meaning that the three year aggregate score will cover a four year span and will contain all
available data during that time period. In order to provide maximum flexibility for use in the
"performance of students" component of educator and administrator evaluations for districts that
use this resource, single-year and two-year aggregate scores will also be calculated by the
Department.
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DOE ORDER NO. 2021-EO-02
B. Schools retain pre-COVID statutory designations.
Except as provided ins tion W.C.of this Order,all schools in Florida will retain their pre-COVID
designations. Thus, schools designated as schools of excellence(s. 1003.63 1, Fla. Stat.), schools
identified for school improvement (ss. 1008.33 and 1002.33(9)(n), Fla. Stat.), 300 lowest-
performing schools (s. 101 1.62(l)(f) and (9), Fla. Stat.), persistently low-perfon-ning schools (s.
1002.333(1)(c), Fla. Stat.), high-performing charter schools (s. 1002.33 1, Fla. Stat.), and the like,
remain unchanged.
C. School districts or charter school governing boards may apply tote Department to
opt in to have one or more 2020-21 school grades or school improvement ratings
officially recorded and reported for purposes of all statutory purposes.
Except as provided in s. 1008.34](2), Fla. Stat., for any school that tests 90 percent or more of its
eligible students, within 30 days after the release of all state testing data, any school district or
charter school governing board may apply to the Department to opt in to have one or more 2020-
21 school grades or school improvement ratings apply for all statutory purposes that are associated
with a school grade or rating. Requests toot in to less than all of the statutory purposes or
consequences associated with a grade or rating will not be considered, The Department will review
applications to ensure that the students tested are generally statistically representative oft e entire
student body eligible for testing. For any school that applies to opt-in and tests 95 percent or more
of its eligibles ts, their applications shall be presumptively approved.
The Department will provide guidance related to the submission of such request. The guiding
principle for requests from schools will be whether the Department finds that the 2020-21 school
grades or school improvement ratings accurately mid fairly reflect the performance of all the
students enrolled at the school, including the performance oft e students who were not tested.
For the 2020-2021 school year, the calculation of le in gains for school grades and school
improvement ratings means the degree of student learning growth occurring from the 2018-2019
school year to the 20260-2021 school year as required by state board rule, and for the calculation of
the required middle school acceleration component in school grades"prior year"means the 2018-
2019 school year. Sections 1008.34(1')(b) and 1008.34](3), Fla. Stat., and Rule 6A-
1.09981(4)(b)1, F.A.C., are suspended in part, as necessary, due to the cancellation of the Spring
2020 statewide assessments.
Similarly, consistent with how the Department has interpreted the impacts of an absence of a
school grade for a school year, for purposes of establishing a high-performing charter school, the
references in section 1002.33 l(l), Fla. Stat., to"previous,""most recent"or"consecutive" school
years orschool grades, refers only tote years that a grade was issued to the school. Thus, a
charter school that earned an"A"in 2018-19 and then earns an "A"in its next graded school year,
2020-21 or 2021-22, as applicable, would qualify as a high-performing charter based on "at least
two consecutive school grades of"A" in the most recent 2 school years."
V. School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Programs
A. School Readiness. In an cffort to ensure that funds support providers and therefore support
the families they serve, if there are funds that go utilized, the requirements that School
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DOE ORDER NO. 2021-130-02
Readiness Program use no more than 5 percent for administrative costs and a total of 22
percent fora combination of administrative, quality and non-direct services in s.
1002.89(6), Fla. Stat., are suspended as long as the funds are used for the purposes of
emergency recovery and direct support to providers thmugh June 30,202 1.
B. Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program. Due to the fact that many districts and
programs are operating their Spring 2021 education prograrns into the middle and latter
days of June and, therefore, meeting current law would be a physical impossibility, the
provisions of s. 1002.61(2)(a),Fla. Stat.,requiring a minimum of 300 hours of instruction
is suspended for the 2021 Summer VPK program for public schools and private
prekindergarten providers.The 2021 Summer VPK program shall constitute a minimum of
200 hours of instruction and the funding shall be prorated accordingly.
® Effective to
This Order is effective irnmediately,
DONE AND ORDERED this A�—day of April 2021, in Tallahassee, Leon County,
Florida.
Richard Corcoran
Commissioner of Education
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the above EMERGENCY ORDER has been filed with the
Agency Clerk of the Department of Education,on this day of April 2021 ff
Agency 11
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