- April 19, 2024
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+ Unemployment rate in Palm Coast: 13.8%
Unemployment continued a downward crawl, according to numbers released June 17 by the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation.
While Palm Coast’s unemployment rate remained at 13.8% for May 2011, Flagler County’s rate dropped 0.2%, and is also 13.8%.
Palm Coast remains the leader in metropolitan statistical areas with its jobless rate; Flagler County has the highest unemployment out of the 67 counties.
Most of the job loss in Flagler County is because of the slowdown in construction, according to the report. Additionally, 32 Florida counties had double-digit unemployment rates for May 2011.
Flagler County has an estimated workforce of 32,766, with about 28,256 employed.
+ School Board instates adult education fees
Due to legislation passed by the state, fees for adult general education — including adult basic education, General Education Development, adult high school, English for speakers of other languages and applied academics (vocational prep instruction) — are now required to cover operating costs.
Fees for residents will now be $30 per term, or $45 per half-year, for a total of $90 per year. For nonresidents, out-of-state fees will be $120 per term, or $360 per year.
In the child-care program, fees were increased by $2. Vocational course fees also increased to $2.22 per contact hour for residents.
+ Flagler schools OKs Teen Outreach Program
The Flagler County School Board unanimously approved a five-year commitment with the University of South Florida by signing a memorandum of understanding for the Teen Outreach Program, which would standardize lessons on sex-education for grades nine and 10.
“It’s not so much a sexuality education, as it is a decision-making, character-building application,” said Katrina Townsend, director of student services.
She called the program an abstinence-based program, explaining that it’s an effort to re-establish a health plan, since there is currently no longer a mandated health course in the district.
“This isn’t the end-all,” Superintendent Janet Valentine said. “There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done with (sex education).”
Teen Outreach Program will be incorporated into personal fitness courses — one period a week, for 25 weeks — and will be instructed by a county health department worker.
According to School Board member Andy Dance, it will adhere to county standards of abstinence-only, plus sexually transmitted-infection instruction.
In addition, it will provide service learning, teen outreach, parent outreach, goal setting and follow-up components.
But not all agreed with the motion.
“It sends the wrong message,” said Valerie Sanson, county teacher. “We just really need to take our time and really do research for our kids.”
According to school offices, the Teen Outreach Program curriculum has been proven to reduce teen pregnancies by 53%, school course failure by 60% and school suspensions by 52%. The curriculum focuses 12% to 14% on sexuality, with the largest portion focused on decision-making, refusal skills, self-esteem and more.
Lesson plans must be presented in grades nine and/or 10, with all students given opt-out options. Curriculums will be available online for parent review. There will be no fiscal impact of the program.
+ Correction
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Board on June 8 rejected the FWC staff’s proposal to institute manatee speed zones in Flagler County. The FWC staff’s original proposal has been reduced by 1.2 miles of regulated Intracoastal Waterway; it will now revisit the issue with county staff.
+ Public Meetings
Palm Coast City Council — the next regular workshop is 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 28, at the City Offices.
Flagler County Board of County Commissioners — the next regular meeting is 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, at the Government Services Building.
Flagler County School Board — the next regular workshop is 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, at the GSB.
