Mayo Free Press
Evolution in schools?
New state standard would make teaching of the theory mandatory in the classroom
The Lafayette County School Board unanimously adopted a resolution in protest of a proposed Florida Department of Education revision of the science portion of the Sunshine State Standards at a special meeting on Jan. 25.
According to Fred Ward, Lafayette County superintendent of schools, FDOE is considering new standards which would make the teaching of evolution mandatory in every school and to disallow the teaching of any other explanation about how the earth, universe, and man came into existence.
“The new Sunshine State Standards for Science no longer present evolution as theory but as scientific fact,” Robert Koon, chairperson, said.
At this time, a copy of the draft of the revised Sunshine State Standards is unavailable to the public. For a short period of time in December of 2007, FDOE allowed the public to view the draft and submit their comments. After the commenting period was complete, FDOE removed the link to the document.
FDOE will rule on the matter Feb. 19.
Lafayette County School Board members have always believed students attending Lafayette Elementary and Lafayette High School should be taught science, as should every student in the state. They also understand the importance of every teacher implementing the Sunshine State Standards in their classrooms and have observed how effective they are in improving test scores as well as every student’s ability to learn and retain that knowledge.
The meeting, called for the purpose of voting on the resolution, lasted about 15 minutes.
Be sure to watch for the next installment to this story.
- Mayo Free Press
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Chamber of Commerce Christmas in the Park
We would like to thank all that participated in the Christmas Parade this year. We had a record breaking number of floats that presented the judges (Jack and Connie Murcheck from Cindys Motel and Susie Hudson from New Beginnings Church) with an enormously hard decision for placement.
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Lafayette Elementary School's first year teachers
Jennifer Beach is the Exceptional Student Education teacher this year.
Graduating from the University of South Florida with a degree in Early Childhood Education Beach went on to gain a Masters Degree in Exceptional Student Education and a Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership.
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Public Health nurse recognized for years of service to community
Lafayette County Commissioners paid recognition to former Lafayette County Public Health nurse Wanda Crowe with kind words and a plaque at the December commission board meeting.
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Local jury returns notguilty verdict
A six-person (one alternate) jury found Donald Reid, Jr., 53, Willow St. Mayo, not guilty on charges of kidnapping, aggravated battery and witness tampering Dec.
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Commission's hiring procedures questioned
A letter from Taylor County attorney June Byers was read by Lafayette County Commissioner's attorney Conrad Bishop at the County Commissioner's meeting on Dec.
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Medicare Part D coverage.....
This week's installment on the continuing story of the Medicare Part D coverage deals with the question for those who already have prescription insurance.
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Court day ends in mistrial
The morning went smoothly as a jury was seated at Lafayette County Courthouse for the trial of D'Anterio Johnson.
Johnson was in court to face alleged charges of selling crack cocaine within 1000 ft.
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Legislative Hearing at Lafayette Courthouse
Florida State Legislators Rep. Dwight Stansel and Sen. Nancy Argenziano received input from community leaders and local residents at the legislative hearing held Tuesday morning.
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New Medicare Part D coverage offers vast choices....which do you want?
Okay, so you're ready to sign up for Medicare's new Prescription Drug coverage but it's about as clear as last week's laundry water and you wish someone could explain the plan in clear precise terms.
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Days GoneBy has arrived!
The pictorial history of Lafayette, Hamilton and Suwannee counties has arrived and a limited supply is available to the public.
Family reunions, political events, floods, rivers, people, places and things,.
- More Mayo Free Press Headlines
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Chamber of Commerce Christmas in the Park
