Lafayette grad rate dips slightly District graduated 88.2 percent in 2016-17, topping state average Thursday — January 18, 2018 By Jamie Wachter [email protected] MAYO — The Lafayette County School District’s graduation rate dipped back below 90 percent, although it remained above the state average. According to the Florida Department of Education, the district’s 2016-17 graduation rate was 88.2 percent, down from the 93.2 percent in 2015-16 that put Lafayette third in the state. The state graduation rate rose 1.6 percentage points last year to reach 82.3 percent. Mayo Free Press“We’re down a little bit, but I’m happy with what our graduation rate is,” Lafayette High School USPS 334-600 Principal Stewart 75 HancockCENTS said, adding that the state had changed a few things in calculating the rate that helped lead to the drop. Hancock said students that received a special diploma were no longer counted as a graduate Lafayette County, Florida Visit us online at nflaonline.com nor were130th those Year that | No. the 002 district had contracted with a private school to help with certain students. Still Hancock said the school has room for improvement, notably earlier in the students’ high school careers. Edwards discusses “Usually when we lose a student it’s early in their high school careers and we have to work and find a way to keep those students engaged,” Hancock said, noting that offering more post- Lafayette gradsecondary rate education opportunities is helping in that regard. education legislation The graduation rate measures the percentage of students who graduate within four years of BY ALEXIS SPOEHR their first enrollment in ninth grade. The rate is calculated for an adjusted cohort of students – a [email protected] group of students on the same schedule to graduate – taking into account those who enter or above state averageexit the group. MAYO — Lafayette County Su- Lafayette County Lafayette County Schools graduation rate perintendent Robby Edwards is keep- District graduated 88.2 percent in Schools graduation rate ing an eye on Tallahassee and the po- tential impact the current legislative 2016-17, down from 93.2 percent 2016-17 88.2 session will have on education. Edwards told the Rotary Club of BY JAMIE WACHTER Principal Stewart Hancock said, 2015-16 93.2 Mayo at its Jan. 10 meeting that there PHOTO: ALEXIS [email protected] adding that the state changed a few are 230 proposed bills in the Florida SPOEHR things in calculating the rate that 2014-15 87.0 Legislature that involve education, in- Superintendent MAYO — The Lafayette County helped lead to the drop. cluding some that would cause quite Robby Edwards School District’s graduation rate Hancock said students that re- 2013-14 80.0 an impact on the community of small addresses pro- dipped back below 90 percent, al- ceived a special diploma were no rural area schools. posed legisla- though it remained above the state longer counted as a graduate nor 2012-13 87.5 According to Edwards, one bill tion that would average. were those that the district had con- would change the alternative path- impact the lo- According to the Florida Depart- tracted with a private school to help ways for students to obtain a high cal community. ment of Education, the district’s certain students graduate. education opportunities is helping school diploma. 2016-17 graduation rate was 88.2 Still Hancock said the school has in that regard. “There is a bill already in place that percent, down from the 93.2 per- room for improvement, notably The graduation rate measures the makes it difficult for those who do not test well to receive cent in 2015-16 that put Lafayette earlier in the students’ high school percentage of students who grad- a diploma,” Edwards said. “There were loopholes for stu- third in the state. careers. uate within four years of their first dents to receive diplomas and this bill will repeal those The state graduation rate rose 1.6 “Usually when we lose a stu- enrollment in ninth grade. The rate ideas to make it easier for those students to graduate.” percentage points last year to reach dent it’s early in their high school is calculated for an adjusted cohort There is also a bill about students who need medical 82.3 percent. careers and we have to work and of students – a group of students marijuana during the school hours, Edwards said. With “We’re down a little bit, but I’m find a way to keep those students on the same schedule to graduate – this bill, schools would have to provide a secluded area happy with what our graduation engaged,” Hancock said, noting taking into account those who enter for the student who needs to have an outside source to rate is,” Lafayette High School that offering more post-secondary or exit the group. administer the prescription. There is also proposed legislation to get rid of criminal history records for applying to work in public post-sec- ondary schools, he said, adding applicants will not be asked to provide more information on their criminal his- tory unless required to do so by law. Three of the bills that Edwards focused on would im- SEE EDWARDS, PAGE 3A Local author Baxter to visit library MAYO — Local author Susie H. Baxter will be visiting the Lafayette County Library next month. Baxter will be talking about her latest book at the library on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 10 a.m. Baxter is a fifth-generation Flo- ridian who hails from Suwannee County, who writes about the Florida Suzie H. Baxter she knew before air-conditioning and before anyone dreamed of the Florida Turnpike or Magic Kingdom. She will talk about and read from her latest book “Pumping Sunshine.” She will also share with the audi- ence why she believes everyone has a story to tell. A book signing and refreshments will follow. DERREK VAUGHN | THE VALDOSTA DAILY TIMES Nick Carroll and his wife, Hanna, go to the Starbucks on St. Augustine Road in Valdosta every morning for breakfast and to read the New York Times. True or False: Consuming information in ‘Fake News’ era However, when she went online Fla., and Dalton, Milledgeville, to learn more about the mermaid, Moultrie, Thomasville, Tifton and she discovered it was made up, in Valdosta, Ga., — how they get other words, fake. their news and how they protect Fake stories such as a mermaid themselves from fake news. washing ashore are nothing new. Fake news, as defined by the Mermaids themselves are crea- Cambridge Dictionary, is any tures invented for stories. They false story “that appears to be Library hosting adult pop up in the “Arabian Nights,” news, spread on the internet or BY THOMAS LYNN sailors’ tales and even classic using other media, usually created [email protected] Disney movies. But distinguish- to influence political views or as coloring contest ing between a story and a fact a joke.” MAYO — The Lafay- The library is also host- VALDOSTA — Amanda Fair- can be difficult, especially when a Some of the people interviewed ette County Public Library ing an Adult Coloring cloth of Tifton once watched story is posing as fact. said they don’t take any news has released its events for Contest all month long. a documentary on the Science Anyone with a computer can — regardless of where they get January. The deadline for entries is Channel about an amazing, new pass off a mermaid as a fact. It is it — seriously. And, if they do, Zumba will be held ev- Feb. 7. The winner will be discovery. often left up to the reader to dis- they double check the information ery Monday and Wednes- announced Feb. 14. “They’d found a mermaid that tinguish between the two. either through other news organi- day at 6 p.m. For more information, had washed ashore,” Faircloth The SunLight Project team zations or word of mouth. Craft Friday will be held contact the library at 386- said. “I was blown away and asked residents across the proj- every Friday at 3:30 p.m. 294-1021. amazed.” ect’s coverage area — Live Oak, SEE TRUE, PAGE 6A PAGE 10A PUBLIC NOTICES Your Hometown THE PUBLIC’S Chevy Dealer RIGHT TO KNOW • Re-notice of foreclosure sale • Clerk’s notice of sale Jeff Mosley • Notice of public hearing 866-246-0455 • Public notice 4316 US Hwy 90 • Lake City, FL rountreemoorechevrolet.com 41324-1 Lafayette County’s news source since 1888. We’re proud to serve! PAGE 2A ~ THE MAYO FREE PRESS, Mayo, FL THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2018 OBITUARIES and Death Notices Patricia Ann "Pat" Turlington Dec. 20, 1935 - Jan. 11, 2018 Patricia Ann "Pat" Turlington, 82, passed away on January 11, 2018. Pat was born December 20, 1935 in Flint, Michigan to Clyde Nellis and Mildred Hyatt Nellis. Pat enjoyed being with her family and friends for cook- outs, attending barrel racing events with her daughter, and she enjoyed knitting and crocheting. Pat was preceded in death by her husband Loomis "Buddy" Turlington, her parents Clyde and Mildred Nellis, two sisters Betty Bradford and Rita Bradley and her brother Clyde Nellis. She is survived by her children Linda Fontaine, Brenda Mills, Sandra Eagan (Herb), and Wanda Roberts; 10 grand- children, 12 great grandchildren as well as a host of nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 21 2018 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. at the residence of Sandra and Herb Eagen; 718 N.