Megan Howard

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The Alligator opinions section thrives on local and student voices.

School board shares updates on literacy programs, union membership

The Alachua County Public Schools district office was packed with student athletes, coaches and speech language pathologists ahead of the May 7 school board meeting.  

Newberry Elementary School’s future charter status in contention after close vote

Newberry Elementary School will apply to become a public charter school under the Yes Newberry initiative. Of the three Newberry schools considered for conversion, Newberry Elementary was the only school to pass the parent vote. 

P.K. Yonge community opposed to proposed selective high school admissions

Currently, the school is ranked 38 out of 1130 in the state. However, when removing schools using selective admission processes, such as magnet schools, P.K. Yonge ranks number three for public Florida high schools.Schwinn proposed P.K. Yonge high school move to a selective admissions process, so the school’s ranking can be reflective of UF.

Newberry families, teachers vote against charter school initiative

The Alachua County supervisor of elections Kim Barton counted parent and teacher votes for the Yes Newberry initiative at Mentholee Northflee Municipal building Wednesday afternoon. 

UF student held without bond after stabbing mother 70 times

Emmanuel Espinoza first appeared in court April 7 for the charges. His bond for destroying or tampering with evidence is set to $5,000, and he received no bond for first degree murder.

Children’s Trust of Alachua County signifies Child Abuse Prevention month

On April 5, staff members of Children’s Trust worked together to place the shining pinwheels in the grass along the sidewalk to raise awareness for child abuse to kick off Child Abuse Prevention month. 

Archer parents worry about transparency, inclusion in Newberry Education First initiative

About 100 people packed into the Archer Community Center Thursday night at the Newberry Education First community meeting to learn about the initiative to turn Newberry schools into public charters. 

Newberry Education First initiative divides Newberry community

Newberry Education First initiative wants to convert the three Newberry schools into public charters under the guidance of community leaders. The initiative wants to ensure “excellent education, increased teacher pay and the same great sports and activities we all love,” according to its website.

New initiative would change Newberry public schools to charter schools

 Newberry Education First initiative wants to convert Newberry public schools into charter schools beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.  The three Newberry schools, Newberry Elementary, Oak View Middle and Newberry High, would operate under unified leadership addressing pertinent issues relevant to Newberry. 

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Attendees watch the naming of Ada Rosenson Dorfeld Plaza outside of the Norman Hall College of Education on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.