Around the state: University of Central Florida trustees are considering whether to ban camping on school property and place time limits on the duration of protests, a Leon County judge says Florida State University’s lawsuit against the Atlantic Coast Conference can move forward, the future of a K-8 lab school on the University of South Florida campus in Tampa is uncertain after USF bumps its rent from $60,000 a year to $550,000, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoes a bill that would have required universities to waive certain exam requirements for service members applying to a graduate program, and the FHSAA issues a warning that NIL deals for high school players are invalid until the state Board of Education ratifies the proposal. Here are details about those stories and others from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Broward: Summer school starts today, and metal detectors are being set up at two of the schools where sessions are being held. Students will have to walk through detectors at Charles W. Flanagan and J.P. Taravella high schools. Broward County School District.
Hillsborough: A lab school that sits on the campus of the University of South Florida in Tampa is facing a huge rent increase that puts its future in doubt. USF wants the school district to pay $550,000 in rent for the Anthony Pizzo K-8 School, up from $60,000 last year, as well as a one-time parking fee of $1,035,000 for 69 parking spaces and an annual $25,000 security fee to university police. The school has 900 students and for years has trained USF College of Education majors to become future teachers. “They (USF) are walking away from a partnership with us, and not only walking away, but basically sticking it to us,” said school board member Patti Rendon. WUSF. A community forum Friday to discuss the need for the school district’s request that voters raise property taxes to boost teacher pay drew surprisingly little debate. Tampa Bay Times.
Orange: The task force charged with recommending a location for the Florida Black History Museum postponed its Friday meeting until June 28 — just two days before the deadline to complete its work. State Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Windermere, says that’s probably an indication that the group would not be changing its preliminary choice of St. Augustine for the site. Thompson supported putting the museum in Eatonville, one of the first self-governing all-black municipalities in the United States. Orlando Sentinel. Orlando City Council members are considering a proposal to place speed detection cameras in 23 school zones, with another 37 schools to be added later. Offenders would receive $100 tickets in the mail, with $20 going to the state’s general fund, $60 to the local government for the program and other safety initiatives, $3 to a law enforcement trust fund, $12 to the school district to help pay for school security and transportation safety, and $5 to the local government for crossing guard recruitment. Orlando Sentinel.
Lee: For the first time in 50 years, county voters will elect a superintendent in November. The candidates are Democrat Victor Arias, 63, a personal injury lawyer who was previously an attorney for the St. Lucie County superintendent, and Republican Denise Carlin, 57, who worked for the school district for 32 years as a teacher, administrator and finally chief of staff. They explain why they’re running for the job, and their qualifications. Fort Myers News-Press.
Brevard: An assistant principal at Cambridge Elementary School in Cocoa has been arrested and accused of exchanging lewd texts and photos with a former student. Police said a tip led them to the cell phone of Devane Clarke, 25, who had deleted 11,000 texts that included lewd conversations and explicit photos with the victim. WKMG. WOFL. WFTV. Florida Today.
Volusia: Free and reduced-cost meals will continue to be offered by all district schools during the 2024-2025 academic year, school officials have announced. Federal authorities said the district qualifies for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, which eliminates the need for families to apply for the meals. WFTV.
Collier: District 4 school board incumbent Erick Carter is being challenged by former county commissioner Tom Henning. Here’s a preview of the Nov. 5 race. Naples Daily News.
Sarasota: A teacher at Sarasota High School has been arrested and accused of selling cocaine. Deputies said Scott Swirles has been charged with trafficking cocaine and ecstasy out of his home. WWSB.
Leon: Tallahassee city commissioners unanimously approved a contract with a company to place speed detection cameras in up to 29 school zones, starting in August. Once the equipment is installed by RedSpeed Florida, warnings will be issued for 30 days. After that, offenders will receive $100 fines in the mail. City Police Chief Lawrence Revell said a portion of the fine goes to the school district, a portion to the city, a portion goes to the school board, and a portion of it pays for the program. Tallahassee Democrat.
Colleges and universities: University of Central Florida trustees will consider at their Tuesday meeting whether to ban camping on school property and place time limits on the duration of protests. Orlando Sentinel. Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper ruled Friday that Florida State University can proceed with its lawsuit challenging the $500 million fee the Atlantic Coast Conference wants to assess the school for leaving the conference. News Service of Florida. Michael Caschette, the founder of and a registered nurse for KIDS 1st Urgent Care, and Eileen LaMarca, vice president of development for the LaMarca Group, have been appointed as Broward College trustees by Gov. DeSantis. Office of the Governor.
Exam waiver vetoed: A bill that would have required universities to waive certain exam requirements for a service member applying to a graduate program was vetoed Friday by Gov. DeSantis. The goal was laudable, he said in his veto letter, but he called standardized tests a necessary component of a “rigorous, merit-based admissions process.” WKMG. Florida Politics.
NIL warning: Florida High School Athletic Association officials issued a warning Friday that any name, image and likeness deals that high school athletes sign are not valid until the state Board of Education ratifies the rules change. That is expected to happen at the FHSAA’s next meeting in mid-July. “The FHSAA has been apprised that there may be a company that is seeking to collect money to provide NIL compensation to student-athletes … This is a violation of FHSAA Bylaw 9.9 Amateurism and subject to sanctions including loss of amateur status,” the association said in a letter it posted. WJXT. It was also announced Friday that Gov. DeSantis has appointed Okaloosa school Superintendent Marcus Chambers to the FHSAA board. Office of the Governor.
Around the nation: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has thrown his support behind requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in school classrooms after Louisiana mandated it last week. “Has anyone read the ‘Thou shalt not steal’? I mean, has anybody read this incredible stuff? It’s just incredible,” Trump said at a gathering of evangelical Christians in Washington on Saturday. Associated Press.
Opinions on schools: In the coming years, Florida can expect to lose even more public school teachers and professors to states where education is a priority and the profession is respected. Philip Belcastro, WMNF. The Sarasota County School district had another successful year – but more despite the board than because of it, as board chair Karen Rose would have you believe. Carrie Seidman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
