Turns out the Grass is Greener when it's fake

Background: I sent this one off when I thought Dr. Thompson could be an innocent pawn...I'm so naive sometimes.

Published in the Rockford Register

Dear Editor;

I am a resident of Naples , Florida . Our school board conducted an absolutely appalling meeting on Tuesday regarding the status of an independent report. The meeting turned into over 9 hours of grandstanding. The decision to terminate the contract of the current Superintendent was voted on twice. The second time he was terminated.

Our school district has been embroiled in scandals for years. We’ve had four Superintendents in eight years. Our community is split on the “latest firing.” Our newspaper, the Naples Daily News (naplesnews.com,) currently gives the former Superintendent the lead with 55% of the citizens not supporting the Boards decision to terminate him.

Many citizens are calling for an investigation by the State Department of Education and the Attorney Generals Office of both the former Superintendent and the School Board. Many vocal citizens are calling for resignations of all School Board members. Many are questioning whether Mr. Calabrese broke Floridas ’ strict Sunshine Law by contacting Dr. Thompson in the first place.

If I were Dr. Thompson I wouldn’t be packing up the house and making life\career altering plans just yet. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Anytime, Anywhere, Any Pace

The recent report to the District School Board emphasizes serious infractions against State Education Code. As a Florida Virtual School (FLVS) parent I feel compelled to comment on statements made regarding FLVS.

FLVS maintains strict policies to ensure academic integrity. FLVS uses a variety of technologies to check student work, including but not limited to the upload of student work to TurnItIn.com. Instructors may choose to give random oral assessments and/or face to face exams at any time. In addition, Guidance Counselors have available to them numerous resources including student progression plans and a complete video training guide.

FLVS is part of the Florida public education system and serves students in all 67 Florida districts. Each course is taught by a teacher with a valid Florida teaching certificate, certified specifically in the subject they teach. More than 64% of the teachers hold advanced degrees, and 76 are national board certified. Contact with both the student and the parent is required on a regular basis. The course work is challenging and aligned to Florida State Standards. FLVS is fully accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and The Commission on International and Trans-Regional Education.

FLVS provides over 30,000 students across the State of Florida with a viable, challenging choice in education.

For additional information contact FLVS.net