Walton County Schools

Let me see if I understand the argument here. On one side a parent would like to see more experienced teachers in our schools. On the other side the argument has been made that experience isn't all that important. Silly me. I've been wasting money paying a guy who's been doing my taxes for more than 20 years who's a CPA and has an MBA. I could have gotten a cheaper person fresh out of college.....or high school. It's been my experience in life that experienced people who have proved themselves do a better job than beginners.

My observation...if the value of experience caps out at 4-6 years for teachers, it is just another example of inadequate career development standards. Question? Does Walton County reward teachers who receive National Board certification? Does anyone even know what that means? Analysis shows that the best school
systems have the highest percentage of national board candidates or those who have already attained designation. Does Walton County have any? Are they mentoring others?

First I want to say that I have four children who have all attended schools in Walton County. I have experienced two different elementary schools, two different middle schools, and one high school. I have volunteered my time in these schools and I challenge each if you who have nothing but negative to say to do the same. I have found in my experience that the elementary schools bend over backwards to meet the needs of all students. I have also found that the undergraduate younger teachers that you think are inexperienced are the most engaging, and competent teachers who have the most up to date knowledge of best teaching practice and have not become complacent because they have to work harder to prove themselves to be rehired each year. I am appalled at the thought that so many of you have little faith in the teachers who spend more time with your children each day than you do. Bashing teachers and schools is not going to solve your issues. They are bound by state laws and given little resources. Perhaps you should take your complaints to higher powers and see if you can make the state provide more pay for teachers so that perhaps they can afford graduate degrees and more professional development to meet your criteria of highly qualified. Can you really expect teachers who have not had raises in this county in years be able to continue their education? Think about lightening the load for schools and volunteer your time! And that is all I got to say about that.

Pay raises amount to nothing when a good teacher loses their job. Ask one of the former teachers who was not "laid off" but simply had their contract non renewed. That's the nice term for being 'laid off' or fired. And there are plenty of experienced teachers who have applied for employment and re-employment who have experience as well as graduate degrees who have excellent student achievement records. The school district simply won't consider employing the better teachers because they don't have the funds to pay them although some would be willing to work for lower salaries. They can afford to employ administrative personnel from down south (Palm Beach county).

Pay raises amount to nothing when a good teacher loses their job. Ask one of the former teachers who was not "laid off" but simply had their contract non renewed. That's the nice term for being 'laid off' or fired. And there are plenty of experienced teachers who have applied for employment and re-employment who have experience as well as graduate degrees who have excellent student achievement records. The school district simply won't consider employing the better teachers because they don't have the funds to pay them although some would be willing to work for lower salaries. They can afford to employ administrative personnel from down south (Palm Beach county).

Every teacher hired now is on annual contract so they are not fired or laid off at the end of their contract. That is a STATE law, not county. And please define a BETTER teacher...I can honestly say that while in elementary school in this county my children have not had a BAD teacher. The issues you are so distraught about have little to do with this county and more to do with the state. If we don't support our schools and teachers change will never happen. Consider what part you can do to help make a difference.

Every teacher hired now is on annual contract so they are not fired or laid off at the end of their contract. That is a STATE law, not county. And please define a BETTER teacher...I can honestly say that while in elementary school in this county my children have not had a BAD teacher. The issues you are so distraught about have little to do with this county and more to do with the state. If we don't support our schools and teachers change will never happen. Consider what part you can do to help make a difference.

Distraught? I don't think so. Outraged would be a better discription. A good teacher is a teacher who helps a child learn. There are bad teachers and good teachers. Experience counts for a lot. The best doctors are experienced doctors. And I don't want a guy sitting in the left front seat of that Southwest Boeing 737 who's a person fresh out of Flight Safety with relatively little flying time. And contacting the DOE, and other state agencies is like spitting into the wind. I can show you the e-mails confirming that fact. And the state claims to want to reward good teachers with good records of student achievement. Instead, it's the policy of the Walton county School district to inform a teacher that they are not being rehired on the very last day of school and told "We don't give a reason because the law doesn't require it". If a person lays off a good employee they should have guts enough to give a reason. Our school district administrators are gutless wonders.

One of my teacher friends informed me that if a teacher with tenure is terminated the state ethics law requires that the teacher be given a reason. Such is not the case with teachers who don't have tenure. School districts are allowed by law to nonrenew any teacher with no requirement for just cause. That tells me that the state's ethics laws need to be revised, since tenure is no more. My friend also told me that when the legislature was considering SB 6 and other education bills she was bombarded with e-mails from Senator Gaetz on her school district e-mail. Sen. Gaetz is a contributor of Mrs. Anderson's campaign. I'd like to be able to tell Carlene Anderson that her contract is being non renewed.

Distraught? I don't think so. Outraged would be a better discription. A good teacher is a teacher who helps a child learn. There are bad teachers and good teachers. Experience counts for a lot. The best doctors are experienced doctors. And I don't want a guy sitting in the left front seat of that Southwest Boeing 737 who's a person fresh out of Flight Safety with relatively little flying time. And contacting the DOE, and other state agencies is like spitting into the wind. I can show you the e-mails confirming that fact. And the state claims to want to reward good teachers with good records of student achievement. Instead, it's the policy of the Walton county School district to inform a teacher that they are not being rehired on the very last day of school and told "We don't give a reason because the law doesn't require it". If a person lays off a good employee they should have guts enough to give a reason. Our school district administrators are gutless wonders.

You said " A good teacher is a teacher who helps a child learn." I am not saying that experience and education are not huge factors here, but I am saying that motivation and dedication should be considered as well. Just because a teacher doesn't have as much experience as the next does not mean that they are not helping children learn. There are teachers who have years of experience who are NOT helping children learn. I would suppose that is why the state felt it was necessary to pass senate bill 736. Perhaps too many experienced teachers had job security and became unmotivated. Like I said....it is the STATE and NOT our county. Here are two links where you can familiarize yourself with how this senate bill affect teachers in our state. Teachers are not being laid off...schools are just following the state law. I urge you take your energy and turn it into something positive instead of name calling and down rating our community.

http://feaweb.org/senate-bill-736-how-will-it-affect-me. http://jaxkidsmatter.blogspot.com/2011/04/teachers-and-famlies-stay-away-from.html

Another poster suggested that the system by which schools are rated is flawed. That is an understatement. FCAT isn't the gold standard. Somebody has lost sight of the fact that the ultimate goal is to prepare students for college and meaningful careers. The first step is to teach children to read. But the best teachers in grades 1 through 3 aren't the best available and this is reflected in the experience level and education of Walton's teachers. If children have average teachers in the early grades they aren't going to perform as well in the upper grades. My son graduated from South Walton High in 2010 and did very well and earned a Bright Futures scholarship. He had some problems in elementary school but fortunately his mother was an experienced elementary teacher so she saw to it that he learned. Speaking of Butler Elementary, her one interview out of more than 50 applications was at Butler. The day after the interview she was notified that a 'better' candidate was hired. Wow, that teacher must have been something. My wife has a masters degree, 32 years experience and outstanding student performance. 4 of those years was in Walton schools. She's also over 50. The truth is that the quality of education in Walton County is falling because teacher quality is beginning to lag for cost considerations. That's a fact.

Your theory is rather interesting....I would think of it more as an opinion. I know my children had the best 1-3 teachers in this district. Teachers who were/are motivated and truly care about the learning outcomes of all students. Teachers who went ABOVE and BEYOND the call of duty. You should not post your negative experiences as FACT.

It seems to me that if a parent has kids in Walton Schools and has said that they've never had a bad teacher, then such a statement begs the question, why are so many teachers in Walton County terminated? From the numbers I've seen there's been no need for a reduction in instructional personnel.

It seems to me that if a parent has kids in Walton Schools and has said that they've never had a bad teacher, then such a statement begs the question, why are so many teachers in Walton County terminated? From the numbers I've seen there's been no need for a reduction in instructional personnel.

Perhaps the ones terminated were for just cause and I was just blessed with the BEST!

Thank you momofmany. Finally someone with ground to stand on has responded to this nonsense.

If you have read threads here on SoWal and been involved in school board meetings the last year or two - then you know that several excellent, highly qualified teachers were let go at the end of school year with no reason (last year). These teachers were experienced and effective according to parents. Perhaps they were costing too much. Regardless of local or state law - it is the wrong kind of policy to use if you want to deliver quality education. It is proven that teacher effectiveness comes with experience and that effectiveness is more important than class size or any other factor.

If you have read threads here on SoWal and been involved in school board meetings the last year or two - then you know that several excellent, highly qualified teachers were let go at the end of school year with no reason (last year). These teachers were experienced and effective according to parents. Perhaps they were costing too much. Regardless of local or state law - it is the wrong kind of policy to use if you want to deliver quality education. It is proven that teacher effectiveness comes with experience and that effectiveness is more important than class size or any other factor.

So you are saying that an experienced teacher would be effective in an overcrowded classroom with little support from parents and their community (as displayed in this forum)....please show me ONE teacher who would/could be effective teaching the state requirements with too many students and not enough resources and THEN I might possibly believe your statement....until then I'm going to stick to what I know.
....and you based their effectiveness on the words of parents....I am a parent and I know that I have high expectations of what I want for my children. However, it is not for me to decide. I am not observing the teachers work ethics, data from student growth, or daily duties and expectations of the workplace. That is what we have administrators for. It is their job to supervise the teachers not all the parents who have nothing better to do than complain about what teachers do or don't do. I can assure you new teachers on an annual contract are not costing too much....beginning salary starts right about poverty level. There had to be just cause. schools want good teachers no matter the cost. I still stand on the idea that if we want change we have to be willing to put aside the negative and work toward positive....thus supporting teachers, schools, and our community. Just my thoughts.

Sounds like dumbing down of teachers. We encourage our young people to go to college and get degrees but we're now supposed to believe that the best teachers are beginners with little experience? And teachers and parents have agreed that there is a turnover problem at Walton's elementary schools. I thought that when you have good people doing a good job, you don't get rid of them and replace them with cheaper employees to save money. Maybe we need a superintendent who is a high school dropout but is a good leader. The requirements for that job doesn't even require a degree.

Well I hope you are not encouraging your young people to go to college to become teachers since you believe that our county is dumbing down teachers by hiring young teachers on annual contracts. I don't know of any teachers who supported the STATE senate bill that our county is required to put into place. It is not a county issue...it is the state. The superintendent has nothing to do with it...like her or not.

Well I hope you are not encouraging your young people to go to college to become teachers since you believe that our county is dumbing down teachers by hiring young teachers on annual contracts. I don't know of any teachers who supported the STATE senate bill that our county is required to put into place. It is not a county issue...it is the state. The superintendent has nothing to do with it...like her or not.

The superintendent is elected to lead our school system as is the board. Part of leadership is advocacy to our state and federal officials regarding steps necessary to improve outcomes in the local district. If the STATE (your emphasis) passed a bill that is bad for Walton County kids, I would hope the super indent would speak up for change instead of placing blame. As to parents of Walton County students, we are well within our rights to want the best for our children and to advocate for it on ant level necessary. We are also within our rights to ask our leaders to join in and cricitize them if we do not. I have noticed that every time someone asks a question or raises an issue about education, eventually a status quo supporter accuses them of being lazy and uninformed. Lastly, all of this stuff about teacher non-renewals does not address the issue. Graduation rates were bad before the law changed and are after. High school FCAT scores are low before and after the law.

The superintendent is elected to lead our school system as is the board. Part of leadership is advocacy to our state and federal officials regarding steps necessary to improve outcomes in the local district. If the STATE (your emphasis) passed a bill that is bad for Walton County kids, I would hope the super indent would speak up for change instead of placing blame. As to parents of Walton County students, we are well within our rights to want the best for our children and to advocate for it on ant level necessary. We are also within our rights to ask our leaders to join in and cricitize them if we do not. I have noticed that every time someone asks a question or raises an issue about education, eventually a status quo supporter accuses them of being lazy and uninformed. Lastly, all of this stuff about teacher non-renewals does not address the issue. Graduation rates were bad before the law changed and are after. High school FCAT scores are low before and after the law.

Do you know whether the superintendent in fact did or did not advocate for teachers during the passing of the senate bill? Did you ask her what her stand is on this issue? And as for FCAT rates, that is just a small piece of education. Don't you think authentic learning is much more important than some grade? Remember the day when teachers could teach students, not teach a test. You have lots of concerns....but what are YOU willing to do to help bring change instead of placing blame and pointing fingers? Like I have said in this thread before...if you want change you must be willing to put aside the negative and work together for positive. We have great teachers and schools and we should be proud supports to bring forth a united change for the best interest of students.

The superintendent has been appointed a Board member to the Governor's board. So she can give her input all day, if she wants. When you accept money from the State, there are string attached to that money. The strings goes all the way down to the teachers. The requirements for this money, take time and effort away from the teachers preparing their lessons, dealing with disruptive students, and having to attending meetings during class time. Such money, has our students testing 4 additional times besides all the FCAT takes and retakes. When a teacher is out, a substitute is calling in - these people are warm bodies to "supervise" - they are not degree people taking to fill in for your student's teacher. Asking about DEA testing - this is for all grade levels. The first rounds of testing has just taken place. Our teachers do not have the uninterrupted time, like in the past, to teach our students like you think. If you want to know what is going on in the classroom - volunteer for a week with a teacher.... Walk in their shoes.

I want a superintendent who will visit the schools, not just when we need to "convince" people to vote for the mileage. I have seen Carlene once in 4 years at my school. We have had parents, volunteers, and teachers to talk to her about problems we are having. Letters have been sent to all the board members and her. Do you think she has dones anything to help? NO!!! She denies talking to anyone - they were not "creditable". She denies information delivered by our school board member. We have voice our situation and she continues to do NOTHING!!! Well, I say OUT WITH HER!!!! I want someone who will listen to my concerns as a parents, taxpayers and employee. These last four years have been a joke on Walton County! The new policy for the superintendent is if you screw up, you move up (to the little whitehouse). She is placing people who she has promised jobs to so she will get re-elected. I say NO!!! The north end took care of their job during the last elections - how about South Walton doing your job this election.

Do you know whether the superintendent in fact did or did not advocate for teachers during the passing of the senate bill? Did you ask her what her stand is on this issue? And as for FCAT rates, that is just a small piece of education. Don't you think authentic learning is much more important than some grade? Remember the day when teachers could teach students, not teach a test. You have lots of concerns....but what are YOU willing to do to help bring change instead of placing blame and pointing fingers? Like I have said in this thread before...if you want change you must be willing to put aside the negative and work together for positive. We have great teachers and schools and we should be proud supports to bring forth a united change for the best interest of students.

I am very curious about the board's and Ms. Anderson's positions. My numerous emails and letters have never been answered. Don't presume to gauge my level of involvement based upon your impression of my perceived negativity. You have no idea what efforts I or others have made. You claim our schools are GREAT. Please share with me the metrics that you are using. If I am looking at the wrong ones, I would appreciate your wisdom. I am also curious about the positive change you mention. Based upon your posts, one would assume no change is neccesary, only praise for the best school system ever created.

I want a superintendent who will visit the schools, not just when we need to "convince" people to vote for the mileage. I have seen Carlene once in 4 years at my school. We have had parents, volunteers, and teachers to talk to her about problems we are having. Letters have been sent to all the board members and her. Do you think she has dones anything to help? NO!!! She denies talking to anyone - they were not "creditable". She denies information delivered by our school board member. We have voice our situation and she continues to do NOTHING!!! Well, I say OUT WITH HER!!!! I want someone who will listen to my concerns as a parents, taxpayers and employee. These last four years have been a joke on Walton County! The new policy for the superintendent is if you screw up, you move up (to the little whitehouse). She is placing people who she has promised jobs to so she will get re-elected. I say NO!!! The north end took care of their job during the last elections - how about South Walton doing your job this election.

Way to put it out there VOTING ABC! I agree that instead of bickering, and complaining in this forum or anywhere else, we have to move forward and support what is right. Our vote counts! My point has been that change will not happen until people DO something besides complain. We have great teachers and great schools. If people don't agree with how teachers and schools are operating the next thing to do is make a vote that will make a difference. They are bound by district and state policies and until things change at that level, they are just stuck doing what is expected. All this negative energy could be channeled to make positive change.

MOM. You are putting words in people's mouths.
I believe class size is very important but it has been proven and accepted by educators that teacher effectiveness is the most important factor. It is an item in the forefront of current education research news now.

Also, there are few communities more committed to supporting education of children and especially their teachers than this one.

Your theory is rather interesting....I would think of it more as an opinion. I know my children had the best 1-3 teachers in this district. Teachers who were/are motivated and truly care about the learning outcomes of all students. Teachers who went ABOVE and BEYOND the call of duty. You should not post your negative experiences as FACT.

You chastise others for stating opinion as fact shortly after stating that your children had the "BEST" teachers in the district. Facts are determined based upon empirical data. What empirical data are you using to determine that your children's teachers were the "BEST"? Perhaps the empirical standards you use could be incorporated into teacher evaluations and solve the debate altogether. I asked the question yesterday : are there any teachers in the Walton County system who have secured national certification? If the response is ...that doesn't matter....that is a valid opinion (not fact) and probably implies that none have met the standard and that there is no system in place to encourage it. Regarding your comment about voting...I started this thread and discussed it in my first post. Voting for change has been a constant theme from most of the posters. Glad to see you agree.

MOM. You are putting words in people's mouths.
I believe class size is very important but it has been proven and accepted by educators that teacher effectiveness is the most important factor. It is an item in the forefront of current education research news now.

Also, there are few communities more committed to supporting education of children and especially their teachers than this one.

Teresa, I have not put words into anyone's mouth, instead quoted each poster. If you meant to say something different, then perhaps the post should have been written more clearly. I do not disagree that the effectiveness of teachers is one of the most important factors...I do disagree however with those who think that teachers with a Masters degree are more effective and that Walton county should only focus on hiring teachers with higher degrees. I have seen teachers with doctorate degrees be by far the most ineffective of all. Is this always the case, no. But I believe it is very unfair for people to assume that just because one has a masters degree that they are more effective. It is all in how the knowledge of the degree is applied in the classroom to help all students. I think that all these post are running together....if complaining in this forum is supporting education and teachers, then perhaps some may need to reflect on how this is helping....looks like a bashing of teachers and schools to me. I am a proud parent of Walton County and volunteer my time in hopes to help teachers and schools. TOGETHER we can make a difference.

You chastise others for stating opinion as fact shortly after stating that your children had the "BEST" teachers in the district. Facts are determined based upon empirical data. What empirical data are you using to determine that your children's teachers were the "BEST"? Perhaps the empirical standards you use could be incorporated into teacher evaluations and solve the debate altogether. I asked the question yesterday : are there any teachers in the Walton County system who have secured national certification? If the response is ...that doesn't matter....that is a valid opinion (not fact) and probably implies that none have met the standard and that there is no system in place to encourage it. Regarding your comment about voting...I started this thread and discussed it in my first post. Voting for change has been a constant theme from most of the posters. Glad to see you agree.

My children did have national board certified teachers, and teachers who obviously had outstanding teacher evaluations since they are all still employed in this district (if they made the choice to remain living in this district). Teachers do not look at National board certification as a huge incentive anymore due to the cost of renewal. Below you will see the cost and incentive for teachers....please note that South Walton schools are not schools with high needs/low performing.

Per FLDOE: The state funded fee subsidy was eliminated by the Florida Legislature during their fall 2008 session. For the next application cycle, only federal funds allocated to the state of Florida will be used for new candidates. These limited funds have been allocated to each district based on its teacher population and will be assigned only to teachers who teach in high needs/low performing schools within the district. Each eligible candidate receives a fee subsidy equal to 50% ($1,250) of the NBPTS application fee. The candidate is responsible for paying the remaining portion of the certification fee and the non-refundable $65 application processing fee. To receive a fee subsidy, you must apply between June 1st and November 30, 2011.

Through the amended Dale Hickam Excellent Teaching Program Act, legislation provides teachers, who achieve National Board Certification, up to a 10% annual bonus for 10 years, and an additional 10% to those who agree in writing to provide the equivalent of 12 work days of mentoring and related services to public school teachers within the state who do not hold NBPTS certification. Note: The mentoring bonus will not be funded by the state for the upcoming 08-09 fiscal cycle.

Hope this information helps you see why many teachers in Walton county most likely have decided not to get the certification. They have not had raises in over 3 years and would have to pay full price for the certification. The cost of living has went up yet, they still make the same base pay. Very sad.

School Accountability Report can be found here: http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/default.asp

Teachers must be doing something right.