Marion schools: 67 new COVID-19 cases amid bus driver shortage
Marion County Public Schools, which recorded 67 new COVID-19 cases this past week, is fighting through a bus driver shortage that has been exacerbated by the pandemic.
School district spokesman Kevin Christian said the district has 270 bus drivers. Before the pandemic, the district has been experiencing about 10 percent absences on any given day.
But I’d say that’s double now thanks to COVID-19 cases and direct contacts, Christian said. As a result, some drivers double- and triple-up on routes, which creates delays in getting students to school and home.
Christian added that we always need bus drivers, not just now because of COVID.
Lee graduation rate increases by 4.8 percent
By MEGHAN BRADBURY - | Jan 20, 2021
The Class of 2020 had the largest increase in graduation rate in 15 years at 4.8 percent, bringing the School District of Lee County’s rate to 88.5 percent.
“This is an incredible achievement by the students of Lee County,” Superintendent Dr. Greg Adkins said in a prepared statement. “We have seen our graduation rates steadily increase during the last few years, but these more recent numbers are beyond impressive. I am proud of our teachers and staff for their continued dedication to student success.”
According to the district, the 4.8 percent increase places Lee County second among Florida’s largest 10 districts, and nearly two points better than the state average increase. The district’s graduation rate rose to 96 percent when not including charter schools, which, in Florida, are considered part of the public school system.
Florida. It’s the state that keeps on giving concerning crazy people ending up in the news. It’s a real gem of a state. I mean that sincerely. I like Florida
Top school administrator arrested for DUI
Taylor County School District Director of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Sabrina Bethea Lytle has been arrested for a second time in three months, most recently in connection to a one-vehicle crash on Nov. 8.
Lytle turned herself into the Taylor County Jail on Dec. 29 to face charges of driving under the influence (DUI) after toxicology results obtained by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) showed her blood alcohol level (BAC) to be almost three times the legal limit of .08. (Lytle’s results were 0.236 according to the charging affidavit.)
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