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TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Education has awarded $44 million in federal Unified School Improvement Grant (UniSIG) funds to support 149 struggling schools in 29 districts. In Alachua County, schools receiving funding are Caring & Sharing Learning School, Idylwild Elementary School, Joseph Williams Elementary School and Lake Forest Elementary School.

“It can be hard for struggling schools to recruit and retain top talent, and today I’m proud to announce $44 million to address this problem,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I have consistently said that the number one way to create great opportunities for our students is by ensuring they have great teachers. In Florida, we will continue to take a strategic, data-driven approach to make our schools the best in the country.”

“Our number one goal is to ensure each of Florida’s 2.9 million public school students receive a world-class education and are given the tools to succeed,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “These funds help accomplish that important work by incentivizing great educators with proven track records of success to come help our most vulnerable students in our most vulnerable schools succeed.”

The funds provided through UniSIG will be used to support school improvement initiatives in Florida’s lowest performing five percent of schools. Teachers who teach at these low performing schools and have earned highly effective or effective ratings can receive up to $15,000.

Principals may qualify for up to $45,000 for recruitment/retention and performance, and one assistant principal from the school may also qualify for $10,000 for recruitment/retention.

Each school will receive up to $100,000 to fund an Early Literacy Coach to support the 2021-2022 adoption of and professional development for the English Language Arts B.E.S.T. Standards.

Each school will receive up to $100,000 to fund a school-based Strategic Initiatives Coach to support the B.E.S.T. Standards adoption. These individuals will continuously review the submission of real-time progress monitoring data to guide instructional support and teacher practices.

Each school will receive up to $30,000 to fund supplemental teacher professional development and instructional materials to support the B.E.S.T. Standards adoption and implementation.

See the full list of UniSIG award recipients.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Awards of Valor were presented to Sgt. Gary Moore and Officer Mayuly Nodarse by High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard at the June 24 City Commission meeting.

The two were recognized for their actions at on April 28, 2021 at 17427 N.W. 266^th Street. At 6 p.m., Moore and Nodarse responded to a suspicious activity call and observed an individual in the bathroom holding a knife in a threatening manner. The victim was yelling for help after hearing announcements from outside.

After several commands from the officers, they forced entry into the bathroom. The armed suspect was uncooperative and “appeared to be in an altered state of mind,” said High Springs Police Department Sergeant Taylor. The officers were able to disarm and detain the suspect using non-lethal force tasers.

“These officers displayed a significant amount of courage and bravery,” Taylor said. “The High Springs Police Department is honored to present these awards to Sgt. Moore and Officer Nodarse.”

Chief Sheppard read the Award of Valor to Commissioners, “This award is presented in recognition of your unselfish actions during an emergency situation which resulted in the saving of human life. Your proper application of training, experience and equipment exemplifies your dedication to duty, preservation of life and services to the community.”

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TALLAHASSEE - Consumers can purchase qualifying back-to-school supplies exempt from tax during the 2021 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. Passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the sales tax holiday begins Saturday, July 31 and extends through Monday, Aug. 9. 

The sales tax holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of any of the qualifying items. Additionally, the sales tax holiday does not apply to sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.

For more information on implementing the sales tax holiday, please see the Department of Revenue's Taxpayer Information Publication on the 2021 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday or the 2021 Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday FAQs for Businesses.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ People yearning for a taste of N’awlins music need wait no longer than this weekend. On July10 and 11, North Florida will be treated to a taste of New Orleans unique musical style as the High Springs Lions Club hosts a two-day concert featuring some of the top session musicians from Louisiana.

Nicknamed the “Big Easy” and “The Crescent City,” New Orleans is known for its round-the-clock nightlife, vibrant live-music scene that mixes musical genres of Funk, Jazz, Blues, Rock & Soul as well as its spicy, singular cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures.

This show, called the FloraNola Festival, was the brainchild of national touring and High Springs native Jesse Smith who has gathered a few of his favorite musicians to bring the finest musical GUMBO around.

Like everywhere else, live performances disappeared this past year due to COVID-19 restrictions and entertainers were suddenly out of work.

“We've been locked down so long, we’re ready to explode,” Smith said. “This was an opportunity to get back on the road and introduce my hometown to some of the unique New Orleans style played by some of my favorite New Orleans musicians.”

Many of the musicians joining him onstage originally met at Florida State University while seeking various music degrees. After performing, recording and creating for several years, Smith and bassist Ron Williams moved to New Orleans to improve their skills in the Crescent City. “This was the beginning of a beautiful time of our lives, and a journey that took us around the world performing the traditions of New Orleans R&B, Funk, Blues and Jazz” Smith said.

Over the next few years, another musician from Florida State University joined them in New Orleans as multi-instrumentalist Joe Goldberg on saxophone, flute, and keys began touring with them. “This is where we all found our voices, where we found our gigs to pay the rent, and the jumping point of which led to our travels,” Smith said. While on tour in Savannah, they were introduced to Kenny Murphy who played bass, guitar and vocals and he joined the band on tour.

“One thing that New Orleans is known for is their special breed of drummers/percussionists,” said Smith. “The heartbeat of the city dances to a special kind of rhythm, one that is not easily mastered and comes from generations of passed down lineage. Luckily the first couch I had to crash on during my first visit to the city was none other than New Orleans native Nick Solnick, a world class drummer in his own right who completed our band.”

“Fast forward a few years and we've all spend thousands of hours together on the road, on the stage, in the studio, at the back yard barbecue, on the side of the road, at a hang around the holidays and everywhere else you can wind up with a few of your best friends,” said Smith. “We've become our own large family and that's what this FloraNola Festival is all about.”

While the concert is free, it is not just about the musicians performing some great music. The event is also about raising money for the Lions Clubs mission to benefit local charitable needs in the surrounding communities. An effect of the COVID pandemic was the cancellation of charitable events, which limited the ability of many organizations to raise funds. “We are doing this to help get the charitable causes back on track,” Smith said. “The concert is free, but we are asking people to make donations to help others.”

The Lions Club will also be selling food and drinks to raise money. Due to this, they ask that while people are welcome to bring chairs, they leave all food and drinks at home and enjoy the affordable food and drinks offered by the club. The concert will begin on Saturday, July 10 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with the gates opening at 4 p.m. and continue on Sunday, July 11 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. with the gates opening at 12 noon. The High Springs Lions Club is located at 26900 U.S. Highway 27, High Springs. Additional information can be found by calling 386-454-4521.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The City of High Springs may be purchasing the Santa Fe Canoe Outpost. At the June 24 City Commission meeting, Recreation Director Damon Messina provided updated information regarding the possible purchase of the property.

“What is for sale is the business, land, building and assets,” Messina said. The land is 2.5 acres and includes a two-story building with one bathroom inside and two more attached to the outside of the building. Purchase by High Springs would serve to preserve and protect the area’s natural resources. “Should the owners sell the property to someone else, even if they promise to maintain it as it is, it’s possible they could sell to another entity which doesn’t have to abide by the same directive,” Messina said.

The business has been open for more than 30 years and has operated at a profit. Messina pointed out that the land has gone up in value 20 – 25 percent in recent years and there is a high demand for this type of recreation.

If the City doesn’t want to manage the Outpost, Messina suggested that a request for proposals (RFP) be issued for an outside agency to manage the facility. The property has been appraised at $600,000, said Messina. If the Commission chooses to purchase the Outpost, the City will be able to continue to offer watercraft rentals, camping and shuttle service.

Messina said partial funding would be possible through Wild Spaces Public Places funds. A private donor through Alachua County Trust has also offered to provide $175,000 toward the purchase.

Costs involved would include flood insurance, which is estimated at $2,000 annually. Insurance for the vehicles, dock and pathway will cost approximately $2,750.

Upgrades to the facility are estimated at $150,000. Those costs include replacing the boardwalk and adding secure railings, replacement of the dock, remodel the bathrooms to make all replacement and renovations A.D.A. compliant, plus improve signage on the U.S. Highway 441 entrance.

Messina listed some of the goals of obtaining this property which included providing educational services to the community, partnering with local schools and organizations to offer programs and events, continuing as care takers of the river and natural surroundings, continued protection of an environmental asset and extending its economic force in the community bringing thousands of visitors to the area. Messina also sai the City would be seeking state and federal grant and program opportunities.

Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) Executive Director Tom Kay was on hand to talk about possible funding options through grants and other programs. He will assist the City in obtaining funding from Florida Communities Trust Parks and Open Space Program. This program is a state acquisition program that provides Florida Forever funds to local governments and environmental non-profit organizations for purchase and upgrades of greenways that further outdoor recreation and natural resources.

As part of his presentation, Kay pointed out that the City only needs to put $150,000 down on the property. He also said their organization has had some success with grants that would be available to the City should the Commission decide to make the commitment.

City Manager Ashley Stathatos pointed out there would be income from rentals plus the opportunity for grants once the City obtains the property. Commissioner Scott Jamison pointed out that a splash park or one of the other items on the City’s initial agenda for Wild Spaces funding can be done later.

“Overall,” said Messina, “this acquisition might provide added opportunities for a Rails to Trails future purchase. One of the rail lines ends next to the U.S. 27 bridge which would provide additional riverside access.”

Current owner Jim Wood also addressed the Commission and said he would like to sell the property to the City to protect the land and all they have put into this area. He also stated that he would continue to run the business until the City prepares an RFP and obtains someone else to run the facility.

Stathatos said that if the City signs a contract in July, it might be possible to close by October. The Commission took no action but will continue to review information about the potential purchase of the property

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