Disagreement swirls over Florida university president search rules
The big story: With less than two weeks remaining in Florida's 2025 legislative session, the fate of several education-related initiatives remains in the air.
One that appeared to be moving smoothly through the chambers aims to remove some of the secrecy and political manipulation of university presidential searches. While Gov. Ron DeSantis has threatened a veto because of provisions removing the governor's office from the mix, the House and Senate have been united in the spirit of the bills.
As the process has advanced, though, their proposals have begun to diverge. The Senate added two amendments Monday. While the bills differ, lawmakers say they believe they can bring the idea in for a landing before sine die. Read more from Florida Politics, Politico Florida.
Another bill hit an unexpected roadblock Monday. The measure to allow students on work-study, internships and apprenticeships to be paid less than minimum wage stalled in the Senate Rules Committee, Florida Politics reports.
A House proposal to require more cursive writing instruction, meanwhile, appears dead as the Senate version has not been considered in any of its three committee assignments, MediaLab reports.
Session is scheduled to end on May 2.
Today in Tallahassee ... The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee will consider the nominations of several college and university trustee appointees when it meets at 8:30 a.m. • The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee has six education-related bills up for consideration when it meets at 11 a.m.
Preferred names and pronouns: A former Pinellas County teacher who is transgender sued the school district, contending it discriminated against him by refusing to call him 'Mr.' after Florida changed its laws regarding sex, gender and pronouns. • Several teachers at a Brevard County high school were investigated over the use of a student's preferred name without parental permission. Only one was disciplined, Florida Today reports.
New schools: The Volusia County school district is looking for land to replace one of its elementary schools. So far, the sites it has picked don't work, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.
Mentors: More than 200 children in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are waiting for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.
Enrichment: The Brevard County school district decided to open its summer enrichment programs to children who do not attend district schools, Florida Today reports.
Campus security: The St. Lucie Sheriff's Office is increasing its presence at county schools for the foreseeable future, WPTV reports.
Cameras: Broward County is close to placing speed detection cameras outside two schools with high levels of drivers speeding while students are present, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
Budgets: The Orange County school district expects to lose more than $28 million in state funding as its enrollment is projected to decline by about 3,000 students next year, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Background checks: A review of New College's background check for its recently arrested communications director indicates the school did not include a check of the Sarasota County clerk of courts records, Suncoast Searchlight and WUSF reports.
Back to class: The mood on the Florida State University campus was somber as classes resumed in the aftermath of last week's mass shooting, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.
From the police blotter ... A Hendry County middle school substitute teacher was arrested on accusations of inciting students to fight, WINK reports.
Don't miss a story. Here's a link to yesterday's roundup.
Before you go ... This teacher has a great lesson on why specificity matters.
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