Anderson Gives District Update To
Chamber Members
At the recent Walton Chamber First Friday
Breakfast, Walton Superintendent of Schools Carlene Anderson gave a State of the
District, an update on the schools. The district’s theme this year is “Linking
Learning To Life” with the logo borrowing from the Olympic rings, each ring a
color used in one of the school’s colors. She says the realize 12 years of
education is not just something to get through then start your life, but is part
of a person’s life. The linking part also relates to schools, teachers,
departments, grade levels and the entire district working together to share good
ideas and things that work.
Anderson said they are focused on continuing
to improve. One area is the Academies at the Career Development Center. These
will eventually be expanded to other schools and are part of a career emphasis
by the state.
In 2003 and 2004 the district was a “B”
district, but the last three years Walton has been an “A” district. The points
system also shows improvement each year for the last three years. Walton is
5th in the state as far as the percentage of schools earning an “A”
grade.
The District is opening Mossy Head School
this year, the new Walton High should open next year. South Walton High School
has new restrooms and a concession stand. Emerald Coast Middle School, or rather
a new building, is in the design phase. The Board might decide to delay its
construction to allow for budget tightening. They were previously using
port-a-lets.
Anderson said, as far as looking at the
budget, it is raining this year and will be pouring next year.
Anderson said she goes to superintendent
meetings and many districts are facing doom and gloom. Taxes and money coming in
is going down and some districts in our are having to lay off employees.
Anderson says Walton is fiscally sound. She credits this to the taxpayer
approved ½ mill vote. She says they will not have to cut programs or layoff,
though there will be budget tightening.
Anderson told the audience, she and the board
are not recommending an increase in the millage, but the state of Florida
require an increase of the Require Local Effort. At their recent budget meeting,
the board voted on a 3-2 decision to raise the millage to 4.125 mills. Last year
the millage was 4.047. The total millage is made up of several parts. The
Required Local Effort is what is set by the state. This has an increase from the
state of 0.086. Other millage, including Discretionary, Supplemental and the
Voted ½ -mill Levy all combine for a slightly lower 0.078 increase. The Capital
Outlay stayed the same. The Board can not change the amount of the Required
Local Effort. The other parts can be changed. The millage is going up by
0.078.
Listen to the Mp3 file for News Segment 1 http://www.wzep1460.com/WZEP%20News%20Saturday%20Segment%201.mp3
Retired and Disabled Veterans are
eligible for Economic Stimulus Payment from IRS
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is
reaching out to veterans urging them to file a 2007 tax return, even if you
aren’t required. Why? You could receive a payment from $300 to $600 or more. You
have until October 15, 2008 to file.
The IRS has accounted for 74 percent of
Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries out of about 20 million
initially identified as being potential stimulus recipients. Many of these fall
in a category that normally does not have to file. There is no reason not to.
Veterans who qualify still do not have to file next year, and the money received
isn’t taxable next year either. The economic stimulus payment does not impact
the benefits veterans are currently receiving.
Just fill out a 1040 or 1040A to see if you
qualify, and the IRS will mail or direct deposit your check. If you need
assistance filing a tax return, some organizations provide free assistance. If
you need assistance, a list for addresses and office hours can be found at
“Contact My Local Office” at www.irs.gov.
Tax forms can also be downloaded from this web site as well.
For more information, contact Phil McMillian or Raymond Gainey in the Veterans Services office at 850-892-8140 or drop by the office at 312 College Avenue, Unit A in DeFuniak Springs.
Listen to the Mp3 file for News Segment 2 http://www.wzep1460.com/WZEP%20News%20Saturday%20Segment%202.mp3
Leadership
Walton
The recent Walton Chamber First Friday
Breakfast was sponsored by the Workforce development Board and Jobs Plus. Walton
Superintendent Carlene Anderson said she was asked to participate as a mentor in
the Chamber’s Leadership program. The lady she was teamed with was in the
banking industry and Anderson questioned what she, as an educator, could teacher
her. She soon realized that management and leadership is the same in any
profession. From this the superintendent came up was an idea to link leadership
training with students.
Leadership Walton is being developed as a way
to target students and help teach and bring out leadership skills while still in
the school environment. The youth leadership program is being developed with the
Chamber. It will be a curriculum the students will gain credit for and be
developed under the State Sunshine Standards.
The program will teach; Decision Making,
Problem Solving, Meeting Skills, Communications, Group Skills, Time and Stress
Management and Team Building. Anderson said technology is great and she uses it,
but it has also created a way for students to not have to interact as much. They
use their I-pods, Facebook, text messenger and other technological tools.
Anderson says these keep a student from having to work face to
face.
Anderson also said she has used tools she
learned from a Dale Carnegie course. She wanted to be able to teach these to
students and found they now offer “Generation Next” as part of Dale Carnegie
training. This is designed for students. Anderson said there is a cost and the
district will need community partners to help bring it to the
students.
Mary Lou Reed with the Workforce Development Board described the services they provide and presented the staff from the local Jobs Plus. They are currently helping in several areas including hiring for local jobs. The Workforce Board also has a program through the school district where a student completes requirements and is certified as being job ready. This is a national certification where a student must complete skill tests showing they are ready for the workplace.
Listen to the Mp3 file for the Arrest Report http://www.wzep1460.com/WZEP%20News%20