School board honors late John Padget

At its Oct. 6 meeting, the Monroe County School Board paid tribute to John Padget, who has died. He was a philanthropist who also led the district on an interim basis from mid-2003 into late 2004, after then-Gov. Jeb Bush named him to the job when Superintendent Mike Lannon resigned. Through the programs Take Stock in Children and Monroe COMPUTE$, his support helped many Keys students pay for college or trade school. Superintendent Ed Tierney also honored John Dick, who sat on the board for 20 years and chaired it several times. Board members described both men as generous, honest and dedicated to public service.

A high school student representative told the board about the Monroe Association of Governing Students, a countywide group the district started. Twelve members, chosen by classmates at the county's three high schools, talk about what is and isn't working in schools. They are preparing a survey on artificial intelligence and are also busy with homecoming. A Lower Keys teacher with 28 years in the classroom said the proposed teacher raise falls short, adding that she puts in roughly 200 unpaid hours a year beyond her contract.

Board member Sue Woltanski brought up religious instruction and excused absences for religious holidays, noting that Plantation Key School already permits them. Board member Yvette Talbot said the Rex Weech Field project in Key West came in near $5 million, about $250,000 below budget. The board next meets Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. at Marathon High School, with 2027 legislative goals expected on the agenda. A legislative platform is expected to be adopted in December.