Jeff Bergosh Blog: Going All In on the Nanny-State School Model--Is Paying Students for Achievement Legal?

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I am one member of a five person board. The opinions I express on this forum are mine only, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Escambia County Staff, Administrators, Employees, or anyone else associated with Escambia County Florida. I am interested in establishing this blog as a means of additional transparency to the public, outreach to the community, and information dissemination to all who choose to look. Feedback is welcome, but because public participation is equally encouraged, appropriate language and decorum is mandatory. Although this is not my campaign site for re-election--sometimes campaign related information will be discussed, therefore in an abundance of caution I add the following : Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Jeff Bergosh, Republican, for Escambia County Commissioner District 1

Friday, August 3, 2012

Going All In on the Nanny-State School Model--Is Paying Students for Achievement Legal?

Would it be legal to pay students for performance? I asked our attorney and the answer, below, is murky....

>>> Jeff Bergosh 7/16/2012 10:13 AM >>>

Donna,

Would it be legal under state law for the district to, at one of our highly impoverished schools, devise a cash reward system to umpire and motivate students?

They do this in inner-city schools in Britain and France, and some schools in Ohio, New York, and California.

Just curious about how Florida law would speak to such a plan. -Also, I just really don't have a lot of confidence that one extra hour and three million dollars at six schools is going to turn the tide. I think to get the parents on board takes direct cash payment.

Thanks for any insight you can give on the legality issue.

Jeff

Jeff Bergosh

Escambia County School Board, Dist. 1

850-469-6147

www.jeffbergoshblog.blogspot.com

jbergosh@escambia.k12.fl.us

<<< Donna Waters>>> Mon 7/23/2012 10:09 AM

Jeff:

Just wanted to follow up in writing -- as I indicated at the Board meeting last week, I can't find any legal authority for/against the proposed action.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Donna

Donna Sessions Waters

General Counsel

Escambia County School Board

75 North Pace Boulevard

Pensacola, Florida 32505

Note that Florida has a very broad Public Records Law. Virtually all written communications to or from School District Personnel are public records available to the public and media upon request. E-mail sent or received on the School District system will be considered public and will only be withheld from disclosure if deemed confidential pursuant to State or Federal Law.]