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NEWBERRY ‒ The dispute over whether the Newberry Elementary School charter conversion achieved enough ballots to move forward has not yet been resolved. Monday, Education First Newberry, Inc. (EFN) posted on its “Yes Newberry” Facebook page that the Florida Department of Education (DOE) has “confirmed today that per state statutes, a 50% vote threshold is the requirement for the teacher vote for passage of a charter conversion. Having already achieved the 50% threshold for the parent vote, Newberry Elementary School has thus passed the conversion vote and will begin its charter application for submission to the state Charter Review Commission.”

Alachua County Public Schools spokesperson Jackie Johnson challenges EFN’s assertion. In an email statement sent out Tuesday, Johnson stated, “As of the end of business today, the district had not received any official notification from the Florida Department of Education about changing the results of the Newberry Elementary School conversion vote.”

Johnson added that the District must adhere to State Board of Education rule 6A-6.0787 of the Florida Administrative Code. She also stated that EFN reiterated the necessity of meeting the administrative code requirements “on several occasions, including in letters to all three school principals, on their website, and in statements by their leadership during community meetings.”

A distinction in language between Florida Statute Section 1002.33(3)(b) and the Florida Administrative Code rule 6A-6.0787 is at the heart of the dispute and ultimate outcome of the charter school conversion effort.

Florida Statute Section 1002.33(3)(b) states in pertinent part, “An application submitted proposing to convert an existing public school to a charter school shall demonstrate the support of at least 50 percent of the teachers employed at the school and 50 percent of the parents voting whose children are enrolled at the school, provided that a majority of the parents eligible to vote participate in the ballot process, according to rules adopted by the State Board of Education.”

Florida Administrative Code rule 6A-6.0787(3)(d) was promulgated after the enactment of the state statutory provisions allowing for charter school conversion. That administrative rule states, “If a majority of teachers employed at the school and a majority of voting parents support the charter proposal, the conversion charter application must be submitted….”

The difference between the statute and the rule is whether more than 50 percent of teachers must approve or if 50 percent approval is sufficient, as stated in the Statute. The rule was adopted and has been in effect since June 2010.

Alachua County Today has obtained a copy of the email from Adam Miller, Senior Chancellor at the Florida Department of Education. In that email, Miller states, “The statute provides that in order to submit an application the applicant must demonstrate at least 50% of the teachers employed at the school voted in favor of converting the school to a public charter school.”

While charter conversion attempts failed at Oakview Middle School and Newberry High School, the picture remains a bit hazy at Newberry Elementary School. Parents at the elementary school voted in favor of the conversion with 149 “yes” votes compared to 125 “no” votes. The concern at Newberry Elementary School centers primarily on a single ballot among those cast by teachers. Of the total 44 eligible teachers, 22 affirmatively voted in favor of the transition while 17 affirmatively voted against the change. Since four teachers at Newberry Elementary abstained from voting, they counted as “no” votes, bringing the votes against the conversion to just 21.

In contest is one ballot in favor of conversion, which was a parent ballot inside a teacher envelope, and could account for the 44th teacher, bringing the total of teachers in favor to 23. The ballot was disqualified, however, based on the uncertainty as to how it should be counted. If it is simply not counted, then exactly 50 percent of the teachers at the school voted in favor of the conversion. The controversy appears to be whether 50 percent is sufficient or if a majority is required for the measure to pass.

Chancellor Miller also wrote, “If a conversion charter school application is submitted to either the Alachua County School Board or the Charter School Review Commission, and the application can successfully demonstrate that at least half of the teachers voted for conversion, then the applicant has met that threshold requirement.”

When asked about any challenge by Alachua County Public Schools of the conversion, Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe responded, “We can find no opportunity for [the District] to challenge. The application goes to the charter review board, not the [School Board of Alachua County]. If the review board approves the application, it is done.”

Marlowe, who has been an avid supporter of the conversion to charter schools also said in an email to Alachua County Today, “The whole community of Newberry is excited to have the opportunity to welcome NES as our first community school.”

There was no doubt that both parents and teachers voted no on conversion of Oak View Middle School with 244 parents voting against conversion and 134 parents voting in favor of conversion. Teachers at Oak View Middle School turned down the conversion with an affirmative 40 votes against and just nine in favor of the proposed change. Two teachers abstained from voting, and so therefore count as a “no” vote, leaving a total of 42 votes against conversion.

Similarly, 149 parents of Newberry High School students voted against converting to a charter school compared to 114 casting ballots in favor. The story was a little different when it came to teachers at the high school, with 17 voting in favor of converting to a charter school compared to just six teachers affirmatively voting “no” to conversion of the school. There were six other teachers who abstained from voting, bringing the total number counted against the change to just 12 votes.

If EFN is able to proceed, Newberry Elementary School would be converted to a charter school effective with the 2025-26 school year.

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WALDO – On Saturday, April 27, at 4:45 p.m., emergency crews from Alachua County Fire Rescue, Melrose Fire Department, and the Windsor Fire Department rushed to the scene of an RV fire on U.S. Highway 301, just south of the City of Waldo.

Emergency Unit 42 arrived to find the RV fully engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading to an adjacent vehicle. Despite the intensity of the blaze, firefighters were able to swiftly bring the situation under control. The occupant made it safely out of the vehicle prior to the arrival of fire crews. 

However, both the RV and the accompanying vehicle were complete losses. The incident led to the closure of the northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 301, causing traffic delays as authorities worked to contain the situation.

Following the extinguishing of the fire, emergency crews undertook a thorough overhaul of the scene to ensure there were no remaining hot spots or hazards. Once deemed safe, the area was turned over to law enforcement for further investigation and traffic control.

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ALACHUA ‒ After more than 17 years as Vice President of Advancement at Santa Fe College (SFC), Chuck Clemons will be retiring from his position.

An announcement by SFC of Clemons’ retirement spoke to the college’s growth and development across various facets of its operations, from academic expansion to infrastructural enhancements. “Under his leadership, the college expanded scholarship opportunities. The Santa Fe College Foundation now awards more than $1.6 million in student scholarships annually. VP Clemons was instrumental in raising funds and support to help support several capital projects and expand a multitude of educational and academic opportunities to citizens throughout the service district.”

Beyond his professional achievements at SFC, Clemons was elected in 2016 to the Florida House of Representatives, District 21, serving Dixie, Gilchrist, and part of Alachua County. He currently representants District 22, serving Gilchrist, Levy and part of Alachua County and serves as the Speaker Pro Tempore under the leadership of Florida House Speaker Paul Renner.

A High Springs native, and a Santa Fe High School graduate, Clemons is a first-generation college student, earning his Associate’s Degree from Florida Gateway College and his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Florida. Clemons and his wife, Jane, live in Newberry and have four children and three grandsons.

Clemons spent much of his early career in private business as a Chartered Financial Consultant. He was elected to the Alachua County Commission from 1996-2000. And in 2001, he was appointed by President George W. Bush as the State Director of USDA Rural Development overseeing a $2 billion portfolio with operations in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In the coming weeks, SFC will conduct a search for Clemons’ successor, utilizing the services of the consulting firm AGB Search, the same firm that assisted in the search that led to the hiring of President Broadie and more recently, Provost Nate Southerland.

In a statement, the College wrote, “the Vice President for Advancement and Chief Philanthropy Officer will be responsible for executing a strategic vision that establishes and implements an annual growth strategy which encompasses major and planned gifts, annual giving, sponsorships, special events, and donor engagement. Additionally, they will cultivate key donors and prospects, while developing a robust alumni donor base.”

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High Springs ‒ The 47th Annual Pioneer Days festival in High Springs kicked off with an on-again off-again soggy start on Saturday, but mother nature smiled upon the event, delivering clear skies and sunshine for its second day, much to the delight of organizers and attendees alike.

This past weekend, April 27 and 28, the charmingly vibrant town of High Springs turned back the clock to its rough and tumble beginnings as a railroad and mining hub with the much-anticipated Pioneer Days festival. Hosted by the High Springs Chamber of Commerce, the 47^th annual celebration offered festivalgoers a nostalgic journey into the life and times of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, downtown High Springs near the sinkhole, museum, and police station became a lively hub of activity. People were greeted with an array of craft vendors showcasing their handmade wares, tempting food vendors offering a variety of culinary delights, and a kid’s corner complete with pony rides. Attendees were also treated to music that echoed through the streets, while activities harkened back to simpler times.

One of the perpetual highlights of the festival was the reenactment of a wild west cowboy gunfight, where lawmen clashed with bank robbers in thrilling shows that captivated audiences throughout the weekend. These performances not only entertained but also provided a glimpse into the lawless frontier days that shaped the town's history.

Over the years, Pioneer Days has become a tradition in High Springs, drawing visitors not only from High Springs, but from surrounding communities as well to experience its charm and rich heritage. For those who may have missed out on this year's festivities, fear not. Pioneer Days will return next year, promising another opportunity to experience the magic and charm of High Springs' rough and tumble beginnings.

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NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry Board of Adjustment met following the April 22 Newberry City Commission meeting to consider a site and development plan for Ultimate Boat, RV and Mini Storage Expansion. The property is located on the south side of State Road 26/West Newberry Road, between Southwest 218^th Street and Southwest 226^th Street.

The application was brought to the City by eda consultants, inc.’s Director of Planning Clay Sweger, acting on behalf of Todd Russo, operator of Tibbets Land Holdings, LLC.

Newberry Principal Planner Jean-Paul Perez presented the site and development plan to the Board. Perez said the property is within the City’s Urban Reserve Area and consists of a 100,000 square feet pre-engineered metal building for self-storage, a 27,000 square feet pre-engineered metal structure for covered vehicular storage and related site improvements such as a parking lot and stormwater basin.

Perez said the site and development plan was considered on April 1 by the Planning and Zoning Board, which recommended approval with minor changes.

The drawings identified the location of the Knox Box for emergency access to the facility, landscaping and the location of an eight-foot fence for screening of the self-storage area.

Perez said the City recommended approval of the site and development plan.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Tensions flared at the April 25 High Springs City Commission meeting as community members voiced their concerns over the sudden dismissal of former Utility Director and Assistant City Manager Thomas Henry by new City Manager Jeremy Marshall.

During the Public Comment portion of the meeting, a number of attendees expressed their support for Henry and his contributions to the city. Comments were unanimous in praising Henry's work ethic and dedication to the community.

Chrissy Swilley, a commenter at the meeting, addressed potential misinformation surrounding Henry's dismissal. “He has never once been written up or received a negative employment evaluation from this administration,” said Swilley. “He was nominated by this current Commission to be part of a trio providing coverage of City Manager duties until a suitable City Manager could be hired.

“He was not compensated for these additional duties, nor did he request them. He did them so that he could help the City continue to move in a forward direction.”

Mayor Katherine Weitz read a letter during the public comment session, which highlighted concerns about City Manager Marshall's decision to remove Henry from his position. The letter from former High Springs Mayor and City Commissioner Scott Jamison and wife Lynn Jamison criticized Marshall for breaking his promise not to make personnel changes within the first six months of his tenure and expressed dismay at the removal of an experienced employee like Henry, especially during challenging times for the City.

“We met with Jeremy Marshall on Tuesday, April 23, to welcome him and ask him about the removal of Thomas Henry from his position as Director of Public Works the morning of the fifth day on the job, before he even knew all the names of his employees. He removed Mr. Henry, one of the best employees with 33 years of experience in the field, an employee who at every meeting one or more of our Commissioners had only positive things to say about him and actually had glowing remarks about how he got things done.”

“Need I remind everyone Mr. Marshall said he would not make any personnel changes for six months when he was interviewed for the job? We are sick that he would remove an exemplary employee like Mr. Henry when we are in such tumultuous times. We will email each of you additional details about our meeting in the next couple of days. We were appalled by some of Mr. Marshall’s responses and his complete lack of emotional engagement. We are quickly losing confidence in Mr. Marshall’s ability to be able to lead us through these very difficult times. Respectfully, Scott and Lynn Jamison.”

Brad Riddle, Chair of the High Springs Historic Preservation Board, expressed shock and disappointment at Henry's dismissal, emphasizing Henry's effectiveness and the positive impact he had on various city initiatives. “I gotta say I was shocked… Thomas was awesome. I was able to get a lot of things accomplished through Thomas that I wasn’t able to before… I would love to see Thomas come back.”

Despite the outcry from the community, City Manager Jeremy Marshall was not present at the meeting to address the issue due to a prior commitment. However, it was noted that even if he had been present, he might not have commented due to the sensitive nature of the personnel matter.

In response to the comments, Mayor Weitz refrained from offering her own opinion but expressed gratitude for the community's input.

Henry's abrupt departure has left some community members questioning the rationale behind the decision and has raised doubts about the new city manager and the future of the the city's leadership.

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