Highlights from the St. Johns County School Board's monthly meeting.

Media Release:

Highlights of the St. Johns County School Board Monthly Meeting 

MARCH  2008 

DISTRICT TO OFFER AVID PROGRAM FOR LEAST-SERVED STUDENTS

The School Board unanimously approved the contract to implement the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) contract to serve students in the academic middle. The program will be implemented in the 2008-2009 school year at Pedro Menendez High School. AVID is an in-school academic support program for grades 4-12 that prepares students for success through a college preparatory path.

BOARD TAKES FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF WARDS CREEK ELEMENTARY

The School Board approved the final acceptance of Ward Creek Elementary School, which opened to students on the first day of the 2007-2008 school year.  The project was awarded to The Tower Group and was successfully completed on time and within the approved budget.

NEASE STATE CHAMPION SOCCER TEAMS HONORED

The Nease High School Girls and Boys Soccer Teams were honored as the reigning Class 4A state champions. The Nease Lady Panthers captured their fourth state championship in seven years, while the boys won their second consecutive state title. The 2007-2008 season was also historic since it marked just the eleventh time in Florida history that girls and boys teams from the same school have won soccer titles in the same year.

TEACHER AND ROOKIE TEACHERS OF THE YEAR RECOGNIZED

Jeff Dodd, a music teacher at St. Augustine High School, was recognized as St. Johns County’s 2007-2008 Teacher of the Year. In addition to directing the SAHS Chorus, Mr. Dodd serves as the Director of the St. Johns County Center for the Arts. Two Rookie Teachers of the Year were also honored, Amanda Underwood of Cunningham Creek Elementary and language arts teacher Kristin McGillin of Nease High School.

FP&L EASEMENT APPROVED FOR PONTE VEDRA HIGH SCHOOL

The School Board approved a Florida Power and Light easement for underground power lines needed to provide electrical power to Ponte Vedra High School.  The path of the easement was routed so as to minimize its impact on school property.

CHANGE ORDERS APPROVED FOR CROOKSHANK AND NEW SCHOOLS

The School Board approved a change order for Phase III of the Crookshank Transportation Facilities Improvements. Other change orders were approved for the new schools currently under construction: Liberty Pines Academy, Creekside High School and Ponte Vedra High School.

The March School Board meeting will be aired at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays,

7 p.m. on Fridays and noon on Saturdays on Comcast Channel 24 and at

9 a.m. on the last Friday of the month on Comcast Channel 29.

Next Regular School Board Meeting – Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 6 p.m.