INSIDER
As Seminole County deals with school threats, calls grow for more involvement from parents
Read full article: As Seminole County deals with school threats, calls grow for more involvement from parentsAn increase in social media rumors about school threats has Seminole County officials urging parents to talk to their kids about the consequences of making threatening remarks in the wake of a school shooting last week in Georgia.
Most of $1.3M stolen in Seminole schools phishing case to be recovered, superintendent says
Read full article: Most of $1.3M stolen in Seminole schools phishing case to be recovered, superintendent saysSeminole County Public Schools is in the process of getting much of the $1.3 million stolen last December by cybersecurity scammers will be recovered, according to the district’s superintendent.
This new safety measure is coming to Seminole County schools
Read full article: This new safety measure is coming to Seminole County schoolsIn a video announcement, SCPS Superintendent Serita Beamon and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma discussed the new measure, which is aimed at improving classroom safety.
Seminole County superintendent says AP Psychology will be taught in her school district
Read full article: Seminole County superintendent says AP Psychology will be taught in her school districtAP Psychology will be offered in full to students of Seminole County Public Schools for the 2023-24 school year, according to Superintendent Serita Beamon.
Seminole schools superintendent urges parents to talk to students about behavior ahead of 1st day
Read full article: Seminole schools superintendent urges parents to talk to students about behavior ahead of 1st dayThe school year starts Thursday in Seminole County, and the school district wants to reassure parents that safety is their top priority.
Seminole County superintendent, sheriff talk staffing, safety at back-to-school news conference
Read full article: Seminole County superintendent, sheriff talk staffing, safety at back-to-school news conferenceAt a news conference Friday, Seminole County’s sheriff and superintendent of public schools updated local parents on what to expect when sending their children back to classes on Wednesday, Aug. 10.
Seminole School Board votes against proclamation supporting LGBTQ+ students
Read full article: Seminole School Board votes against proclamation supporting LGBTQ+ studentsThe Seminole County School Board has voted to cancel their plans for a proclamation supporting LGBTQ+ students and staff at Seminole County Public Schools
Walt Griffin hands over keys to new Seminole County Schools superintendent
Read full article: Walt Griffin hands over keys to new Seminole County Schools superintendentThere's a new leader at Seminole County Public Schools. Serita Beaman officially took over Thursday as the district's new superintendent.
‘This is a new beginning:’ New Seminole schools superintendent talks district’s future
Read full article: ‘This is a new beginning:’ New Seminole schools superintendent talks district’s futureSerita Beamon sat down with News 6 for her first interview after the school board chose her for the position in March.
District will be in ‘very good hands’: Outgoing Seminole schools superintendent talks about new leader
Read full article: District will be in ‘very good hands’: Outgoing Seminole schools superintendent talks about new leaderThe outgoing Seminole County Public Schools superintendent is speaking out about his retirement and the controversy surrounding the search for his replacement.
Judge rules Seminole school board can continue with superintendent selection
Read full article: Judge rules Seminole school board can continue with superintendent selectionSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A judge denied a temporary injunction Tuesday to stop the Seminole County School Board from moving forward to make Serita Beamon the district’s new superintendent just hours ahead of the school board meeting. An injunction was filed in Seminole County civil court March 9, seeking to stop the Seminole County School Board from continuing negotiations with Beamon to become superintendent. On Tuesday, Circuit Judge Michelle Naberhaus denied the temporary injunction allowing the school district to continue with Beamon’s contract negotiations. A school board meeting took place Tuesday evening. She is qualified to be the superintendent of Seminole County Public Schools,” he said.
Judge to determine if Seminole County can move forward with superintendent pick
Read full article: Judge to determine if Seminole County can move forward with superintendent pickSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A judge will decide Tuesday if the Seminole County School Board can move forward to make Serita Beamon the district’s new superintendent after an injunction was filed earlier this month against the board following a vote to withdraw its original offer to another candidate. An injunction was filed in Seminole County civil court March 9, seeking to stop the Seminole County School Board from continuing negotiations with Beamon to become superintendent. AdDuring a hearing Monday morning, Seminole County Circuit Judge Michelle Naberhaus heard both sides over a Microsoft Teams virtual meeting. AdNaberhaus will make her ruling at noon Tuesday, just hours ahead of the school board meeting when members are scheduled to vote on Beaman’s contract. Current Seminole County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Walt Griffin announced last fall his plans to retire at the end of the 2020-21 school year.
Former Seminole County superintendent pick speaks out about ‘flawed’ process
Read full article: Former Seminole County superintendent pick speaks out about ‘flawed’ processSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The former Seminole County schools superintendent selection spoke to News 6 about the process and how he hopes the district can move forward following the fallout. Chad Farnsworth, the current Lake County assistant superintendent, sent a strongly worded letter to the school board on Wednesday. In the letter he called the superintendent search process “terribly flawed.”[TRENDING: Will coronavirus ever go away? On March 1, the board selected Serita Beamon, who served as the SCPS school board attorney. When asked if he would like an apology from the school board, Farnsworth said he does not need a “canned apology.”“I’ve never been one for forced apologies.
Former Seminole County superintendent candidate no longer interested in job after ‘flawed’ process
Read full article: Former Seminole County superintendent candidate no longer interested in job after ‘flawed’ processFormer Seminole County Schools attorney Serita Beamon was also considered a candidate at the time during the first vote and received two votes. Farnsworth was referring to a discussion at a Seminole County Schools board meeting of an audit of Bradford County Schools where Farnsworth was once a superintendent. He indicated in a letter to the Seminole County Schools he is going to continue working at Lake County Schools. He said he is no longer interested in the Seminole County job. Prior to the second vote, Beamon had announced her resignation as Seminole County School Board Attorney after she was not selected.
Seminole school board responds after injunction filed against them over selection of next superintendent
Read full article: Seminole school board responds after injunction filed against them over selection of next superintendentSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County School Board members steered clear of discussing the legal battle centered around the district’s next superintendent Tuesday night, but they did respond to the injunction filed against them prior to the meeting. “Both candidates, whoever is chosen will start under a cloud, that has never happened in Seminole County,” one parent said. On March 4, Brittany Walker filed a temporary injunction in Seminole County court against the school board to stop the board from signing a contract with Serita Beamon. [RELATED: Injunction filed against Seminole County school board over new superintendent pick]The board selected Beamon as the next superintendent on Feb. 23. The Seminole County school board filed a response to the lawsuit brought by the mother.
Seminole County School Board needs to ‘heal and unite’ after controversial vote
Read full article: Seminole County School Board needs to ‘heal and unite’ after controversial voteSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – After hours of heated public comment, in yet another split decision, the Seminole County Board voted 3-2 to select newly-resigned school board attorney Serita Beamon as the district’s next superintendent Monday night. “This is incredibly uncomfortable and awkward having to take a deeper dive into hiring decisions while balancing transparency,” School Board Vice Chair Amy Pennock said. A month earlier, board members voted 3-2 to select Lake County Assistant Superintendent Chad Farnsworth as the next superintendent. Despite Beamon’s lack of administration experience, other speakers praised her time as the school board attorney. Since the vote Monday night, 67 people have posted on the Seminole County School District’s Facebook page, most of them blasting the school board for its flip-flop.
Seminole County School Board votes Serita Beamon to be next superintendent
Read full article: Seminole County School Board votes Serita Beamon to be next superintendentSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The Seminole County School Board voted Serita Beamon to be named the district’s next superintendent. Last month, board members voted 3-2 to select Farnsworth, the Lake County Assistant Superintendent, over Beamon. The school board confirmed Beamon submitted her resignation on Feb. 16 as the district’s attorney after she was not selected as the next superintendent. Beamon announced her resignation as Seminole County School Board Attorney after she was not selected during the first vote. To salvage this mess - the school board will need to bring their A-Game tonight.”Smith said the board’s indecision makes the school district look bad.
EXPLAINER: Here’s how the Seminole superintendent search committee works
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Here’s how the Seminole superintendent search committee worksSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County school leaders are meeting on Monday to discuss selecting a new superintendent. They voted for Farnsworth over Serita Beamon, the Seminole County school board attorney. The process to select the next superintendent for Seminole County Public Schools started at the end of 2020. The school board formed a Superintendent Search Community Advisory Committee. Last week, the school district released videos of their group interviews with school board members.
Seminole County school officials discuss reopening plans as COVID-19 pandemic continues
Read full article: Seminole County school officials discuss reopening plans as COVID-19 pandemic continuesSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. Seminole County Public School board members held a virtual meeting Thursday to discuss ways to reopen schools safely in the fall. Im looking for direction today, board members, in the use of face masks and specifically taking temperatures how to minimize large groups, Superintendent Dr. Walt Griffin explained. School board attorney Serita Beamon presented a 130-page document of recommendations from the Florida Department of Education regarding reopening schools across the state. "What that document makes it clear is that educational programs should maintain maximum distance between students and desks. School board members are also going over hundreds of surveys sent to parents last week regarding the reopening of schools.