Ken Racioppi
MCREC V. Chair / Legis Lead
This is a summary we used for a recent REC meeting, again student performance is affected by a multiple factors so the DOE 2025 data is one dimension of student innate skills. However, the data provides insight to the symptoms that many of the County student skills are lagging.
We focused on third grade since education experts (not me) indicated this grade is a key marker for future success as students transition from learning to read to learning to learn. Below is a “snip-it” copy of the summary for the meeting / I have also provided a ppt of the charts of state data (2025 DOE) we used to further our discussion of ways the REC could support our schools.
All the data taken directly from the DOE website excel tables for Marion County, just plotted the table into graphs of Level 1 and Level 2 student test data percentages, obviously there are many students on and above grade level across the County.
Feel free to contact Brigitte Smith or Len Racioppi if there are any questions.
Lady networking luncheon was a great success. Pictures with two people standing are door prize pictures and people sitting are business people attending the luncheon. The attendee’s sit at different tables so they can learn more about each other’s businesses.
Saving Lives Through Enforcement and Education: Florida Department of Transportation and Partners Launch 8th-Annual Operation Southern Slow Down
Creating lasting changes in driver behavior through enhanced enforcement and education
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is proud to announce the launch of Florida’s annual Operation Southern Slow Down campaign, which begins July 14. Through this campaign, FDOT aims to reduce the risk of speed-related crashes by leveraging the use of enhanced enforcement of speed limits and public safety messaging about the dangers of speeding. In partn
ership with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and its division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), FDOT’s Operation Southern Slow Down efforts are part of a broader initiative involving its counterpart transportation and law enforcement organizations in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
“Florida’s transportation system is meticulously engineered to maximize safety – it’s woven into every design plan, every education campaign, and every traffic safety law enforced by our law enforcement partners. Operation Southern Slow Down is a strong example of how each of these facets works together to create safer roadways,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “We encourage communities to join our efforts in creating a safer transportation future by recognizing the risks of unsafe driving behaviors, like speeding.xxxxxx Continue reading
LADY LAKE — The Town of Lady Lake’s Water Utility recently underwent a comprehensive sanitary survey inspection by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The review, conducted by three inspectors on June 6, included visits to all three of the Town’s water treatment plants.
The inspection evaluated all major aspects of the Town’s water system, including water sampling plans, maintenance records, emergency preparedness, and cross connection control. Lady Lake’s water utility staff provided documentation demonstrating that the Town is maintaining and operating its water system in accordance with state requirements and public health standards.
The inspection reviewed the Town’s: Continue reading
Forward Momentum
By Tamara Fleischhaker
In Ocala, horses are more than just a backdrop—they’re the rhythm of daily life, the foundation of local identity, and the lifeblood of a multi-billion-dollar economy. But thanks to the CEP’s Equine Initiative, they’re also becoming a source of inspiration for the next generation. What began as a simple effort to educate business partners about the equine industry’s scope has grown into something far greater, a community-wide movement that reaches classrooms, sidewalks, and civic events.
Where Hooves Meet Literacy: In a county with more than 80,000 horses, not every child has the chance to meet one. But that’s exactly what happens through the CEP’s literacy outreach, developed in partnership with Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses. These tiny, trained therapy horses visit schools to promote reading, kindness, and confidence. The result is a heartwarming experience where children, some reading aloud for the first time without fear, share books with a patient four-legged listener by their side. This unique program doesn’t just teach literacy—it fosters empathy, curiosity, and a newfound love of horses among students who may never have had that opportunity otherwise. Continue reading
LADY LAKE – On the two-year-anniversary of the Town’s only unsolved homicide, the Lady Lake Police Department is asking the public for help in solving this tragic crime.
20-year-old Bryson “Swift” Leverette was one of two victims shot at 104 Caroline Ave. on June 30, 2023. Lady Lake Police responded within minutes and performed life-saving measures, however Leverette was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim survived their injuries.
The initial investigation revealed that both victims were leaving the home in the Skyline Hills area of Lady Lake at around 12:44 a.m. when they were attacked by a group of suspects armed with several different firearms. The suspects fled the scene in unknown vehicles.
Since his death, Leverette’s girlfriend gave birth to their son. Leverette’s mother, family and friends continue to grieve their loss and eagerly await news of an arrest. Continue reading
By TomL
I love the CEP series about the schools interview with Lori Conrad. Many years ago while Obama was in office the Obama team led by Micheal Obama decided every child needed a college education.
So meanwhile while they were going through high school some passed algebra or trigonometry. I took a poll of people and ask 20 people if they had ever used either of these subjects in their lives. 99% said no never used it, one said he did, he was a pilot. They said that students had to pass algebra to graduate. They were stuck, who do they go to if they can’t do a math problem. “Their parents? Their parents had never had it in school so many children got discouraged and just quite. They were left behind only to finish their high school education outside the school system. Are beginning to get the point. Then COVID hit!
Back then I started saying we needed to look at the curriculum, it was then I started saying in my papers that it would not work. Boys and Girls or men and women graduate from college and there was not enough jobs requiring a college education. Who is going to drive trucks? Who is going to do jobs that you does not require a college degree. Of course the college graduate does not want to drive a truck or work in construction so they don’t take a job that back then for $5 or $6 per hour. After all they were a college graduate so the one’s without jobs floundered for a while until they had to take a job they did not want or starve. They applied their learning skills and wound up OK! Continue reading
The Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP) was honored this week as a finalist for the 2025 Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). The Chamber of the Year award, presented by GrowthZone, is the most prestigious recognition in the chamber industry, celebrating outstanding leadership, impactful programs, and community advancement efforts.
Winners were announced on Wednesday, July 23, during the Awards Show at ACCE’s Annual Convention in Philadelphia, and while the Ocala Metro CEP was not selected as this year’s overall winner, being named a finalist places the organization among the top chambers in the country.
“We are incredibly proud to be recognized as a finalist for this national honor,” said Tamara Fleischhaker, Interim CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership. “This distinction is a testament to the strength of our business community, the dedication of our team, and the bold, collaborative work happening across the Ocala Metro to create a more prosperous future.” Continue reading
Hi AI
Can you set up a local emergency alert system for a fifty mile radius for a flood?
From TomL
In my opinion they need to build Cell tower while rebuilding along the flood area! To make sure emergency alerts work. They could even put sirens on the towers.
I ask AI if a localized (50 miles or less) emergency alert with that blast sound that goes through you, could it be set up. What was in place in Texas was not effective for a disaster like this.
Here what AI’s response was.
Yes, AI and related technologies can help localize emergency alerts within a 50-mile radius, and in fact, systems like Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) already do so with a high degree of accuracy.
Here’s how this is achieved: Continue reading
