published: Friday, March 15, 2013

Lake County schools receive $1.8M from state

greg jones | Staff Writer

gregjones@dailycommercial.com

Twenty-five Lake and Sumter county schools will be receiving more than $2.1 million in School Recognition Program funding to use for faculty or staff bonuses, to purchase educational equipment or materials, or to hire temporary staff to help maintain or improve student performance.

"I can think of no better investment for our state than investing in those teachers who work on the front line of Florida's future every day by teaching our children," Gov. Rick Scott said.

Lake County will have 21 schools sharing almost $1.8 million in reward money because they earned A's or improved their grades on Florida's annual school report card. Last year, the county received about $1.5 million in reward money.

"It is always nice to see our high performing schools and their staff and teachers get recognized," said School District Information Officer Chris Patton.

Teachers in Brevard, Flagler, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties also got money.

The school-recognition program, which began under former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, highlights public school achievement by giving financial rewards based on sustained or significantly improved student grades in reading, mathematics, science and writing.

"Gov. Scott understands that rewarding schools for performance promotes even higher achievement," said Commissioner of Education Dr. Tony Bennett.

Here are the Lake County schools that will receive rewards:

-- Beverly Shores Elementary, $44,874

-- Eustis Elementary, $46,177

-- Sawgrass Bay Elementary, $101,789

-- Grassy Lake Elementary, $94,648

-- Sorrento Elementary, $67,377

-- East Ridge Middle, $100,427

-- Gray Middle, $92,085

-- The Villages Elementary of Lady Lake, $72,911

-- Seminole Springs Elementary, $56,321

-- Round Lake Elementary, $74,166

-- Mount Dora High, $99,838

-- Astatula Elementary, $55,716

-- Lost Lake Elementary, $100,780

-- Groveland Elementary, $78,607

-- Clermont Middle, $66,082

-- Pine Ridge Elementary, $78,678

-- Cypress Ridge Elementary, $55,498

-- East Ridge High, $207,888

-- Lake Minneola High, $119,342

-- Imagine Schools at South Lake, $94,872

-- Bushnell Elementary, $66,546

-- South Sumter Middle, $77,429

-- Lake Panasoffkee Elementary, $45,487

-- The Villages Charter School, $209,192.o