That's right. You read it correctly!

It's all too surreal!

I knew it was cloudy, but apparently there is NO SUNSHINE in our district.

Thanks to Lucy for alerting me and stirring me from my reverie.

Read the article and post a comment on orlandosentinel.com.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/educat...0,2921343.story

-----

Seminole joins Race to the Top after all

After two previous votes against participating in a federal grant program, Seminole school leaders change their minds

SANFORD — Bowing to public pressure, Seminole County school officials have agreed to take part in the state's application for a $1.1 billion federal grant to improve Florida schools.

In an abrupt about face, School Board Chairman Sandy Robinson on Friday signed off on the district's participation in the grant application, although she said she still is opposed to aspects of the program that could bring Seminole an estimated $2.4 million over four years.

The School Board only Tuesday had voted against participating in the federal government's Race to the Top program, with Robinson leading the opposition and saying too many strings were attached to the money.

"But I can't do anything that will harm the school district," Robinson said, explaining her change of heart.

Robinson said widespread public criticism of the School Board's decision not to go after the federal money forced her to sign the document. Seminole was one of only eight of the state's 67 school districts not to have signed on to the state application.

Robinson said she feared the outcry would hurt the board's chances later this year to win county voters' support for a continued sales tax for Seminole schools. That tax will bring in many millions more than the federal grant, and board members do not want to lose it.

Superintendent Bill Vogel, who also signed the "memo of understanding" sent to the state Department of Education on Friday, said the decision to take part is subject to a vote by the full school board Jan. 26, but he expects it to pass. Robinson was the swing vote in its earlier defeat.

Florida Education Commissioner Eric Smith immediately praised Vogel and the school board in a statewide news release, saying "this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will truly benefit the students of Seminole County Public Schools and I'm elated that they were able to come together for the future benefit of their communities."