The Martin County School District will host a series of town hall sessions designed to engage our local community in conversations about issues impacting education.

The first session is scheduled for Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. The session will be held at J.D. Parker Elementary School, 1010 SE 10th Street, Stuart, FL 34996. 

Prior to the first session on January 17, we ask community members to fill out this survey on topics and questions they would like to see covered during the town hall.

Interested community members are recommended to RSVP here and come prepared to dialogue with fellow Martin County neighbors about legislation, topics and trends that impact our students' educational experience.

In May 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Florida HB 891 into law, establishing a four-year school attendance model for year-round education beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. According to the legislation, the purpose of the program is for the Department of Education to assist school districts in establishing a year-round school program within at least one elementary school in the district and study the issues, benefits, and schedule options for instituting year-round school programs for all students.

The Florida Commissioner of Education will select only five districts to participate in the program.

To be considered for the program, a district must apply, identify the schools potentially participating, and explain how the implementation of the year-round school program would benefit the students, among other information.

Implementing a year-round school does not change the number of instructional days. In year-round school, the mandated 180 days of instruction are spread throughout the year, changing the duration and timeframes of breaks.

The Martin County School District is looking for the community’s feedback for an upcoming School Board Workshop discussion regarding the possibility of implementing a year-round school pilot program.

The Martin County School District’s new program to grow its own teachers is progressing smoothly. Eight paraprofessionals are part of the first cohort, and another seven will start this month.

In July of 2023, the Martin County School Board unanimously approved a partnership with BloomBoard Inc., which allows for a select group of current paraprofessionals to earn their bachelor’s degrees from Lake Erie College in either elementary or exceptional student education while continuing their employment as a paraprofessional.

WPTV recently talked with Maria Ramirez, an English Language Learner Paraprofessional at Indiantown Middle School currently enrolled in the program, who is excited about this opportunity to become a teacher.

WPTV - South Fork High School students and staff are coming together to support their own.

They recently launched a student thrift store on campus, inspired by one teacher donating clothes to a student in need.

It's a safe space to shop, find great bargains, and pay it forward through fashion.

"As educators, we are always looking for that next thing that we can do to give back," said teacher Kyle Gorton, the Martin County School District's High School Teacher of the Year. "I'm immensely proud that I had a part in it. But more importantly than the outcome of this, I am proud of the impact my students are going to have on their fellow classmates."

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 9 - 4:00 p.m. - School Board Workshop

January 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School for Teachers/Students

January 16 - Second Quarter Report Cards Posted - FOCUS Parent Portal

January 16 - 4:00 p.m. - School Board Meeting

January 17 - 6:00 p.m. - Code of Student Conduct Committee Meeting

January 17 - 6:00 p.m. - Community Town Hall Forum

January 20 - 8:00 a.m. - Russell Holloway Elementary Track Meet

January 29 - 6:00 p.m. - Code of Student Conduct Committee Meeting

The Martin County School District has launched a two-way communication solution that allows teachers, students and families to engage like never before! 

The Martin County School Board approved the appointment of two leadership positions for South Fork High School during its regular board meeting on December 19, 2023.

The Martin County School Board approved Ms. Melora Norman’s appointment as the new principal of Indiantown Middle School during its regular board meeting on December 19, 2023. The school’s former principal, Jeff Raimann, is now the Director of Recruitment and Retention for the District.

The Martin County School District is pleased to announce that Kelly Education has been selected to coordinate and manage all aspects of its substitute teacher program.

The partnership with Kelly Education is a strategic collaboration that enhances the District's guest educator program. Kelly Education has established partnerships with 10 Florida school districts, including four of Florida's largest that subcontract their guest educator programs.

Pay for our substitute teachers will remain the same, however, they will be paid weekly and have the opportunity to purchase benefits through Kelly Education that include group medical, vision, prescription drug, dental and life insurance.

Current substitutes transitioning to Kelly Education will also be eligible for several other perks, including ongoing professional development.