Around the state: A federal judge reverses a decision issued in October and says Escambia school board members must testify in a lawsuit over the removal of books from school libraries, Florida says it will not immediately enforce a new law going into effect Jan. 1 that requires social media companies to use age-verification methods to keep minors off their platforms, a job description says Florida Atlantic University’s next president should be someone who is “bold, innovative and inspirational” but does not necessarily have to have an advanced degree or even a high school diploma, the U.S. school counselor of the year is from Sarasota Middle School, and a Broward 4th-grade math teacher has been named the Florida Charter School Alliance’s teacher of the year. Here are details about those stories and others from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Hillsborough: Florida Department of Education officials are investigating a report that a virtual charter school teacher held an LGBTQ-themed lesson without telling parents and getting their approval. Florida Connections Academy in Temple Terrace sent an e-mail to high school students inviting them to “take some time to enjoy the company of LGBTQ+ students and allies from both Connections Academy schools around the country and Pearson Online Academy.” Florida’s Voice. A 26-year-old motorcyclist was killed Thursday afternoon when a school bus with 12 students aboard turned into his path on U.S. 301. The motorcyclist then collided with a pickup truck, and was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was injured. Florida Highway Patrol troopers are investigating, and a school district spokesperson said the driver has been “pulled from duty while we wait for crash investigation details from law enforcement.” WTVT. WFLA. Tampa Bay Times.
Orange: Angela Murphy-Osborne, the principal of Hamlin Elementary School in Winter Garden, has been named national principal of the year by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. She’s only the second principal to win the award twice. Orange Observer.
Duval: Matthew Gilbert Middle School in Jacksonville is the third in the district to become a Community Partnership School, which combines education with health care, social services and other benefits for students and their families. The model was started by the Children’s Home Society of Florida and the University of Central Florida, and partners school districts with local colleges, health-care providers, social services agencies and nonprofits. WJXT. WJAX.
Pasco: A teacher at Beacon Christian Academy in New Port Richey who was arrested in March for possession of child pornography and having a romantic relationship with a student has accepted a plea deal in return for a seven-year prison term. Steven Houser, 67, also allegedly used artificial intelligence to generate pornographic images using the likeness of a 9-year-old at the school, but that’s not a crime under current Florida law. WFLA.
Marion: An appeals court has overturned a decision that the Marion County School Board must reimburse an insurance company for injuries suffered in a school bus accident. A three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal ruled that the school board was shielded by sovereign immunity from having to reimburse State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. News Service of Florida.
Sarasota: Sarasota Middle School counselor Carmen Larson has been chosen by the American School Counselor Association as the 2025 national school counselor of the year. She won the state competition in October. Charlotte Sun. Sarasota Observer. American School Counselor Association.
Escambia: A federal judge has reversed a decision issued in October and says school board members do not have “legislative privilege” and must testify in a lawsuit over the removal of books from school libraries. U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell’s decision Wednesday overruled an earlier one by U.S. Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho that said board members were protected. News Service of Florida. School board member David Williams has been elected by his colleagues as the 2024-2025 board chair, and newly elected Thomas Harrell was chosen as vice chair. Pensacola News Journal. WEAR.
Leon: The union representing teachers in the school district must get a majority of votes from its members in an upcoming special election to remain certified. The Leon Classroom Teachers Association only had 40 percent of eligible members paying dues, far short of the 60 percent required by state law. But 55 percent of members petitioned to keep the union, triggering the election that will probably be held in January. Tallahassee Democrat.
Alachua: A private school for competitive academics that opened in Gainesville in August has signed a contract to buy a new building so it can expand next fall. The Frazer School has about 300 students, but hopes to accommodate 600 next year. It’s open to students in grades 3-12. Mainstreet Daily News.
Martin: A Pennsylvania company has been hired by the school board to pursue facility naming rights, digital advertising, athletic sponsorships and district event partnerships. Tebo Partnerships will be paid $4,500 a month on a one-year contract that can be renewed up to four times. TCPalm.
Indian River: A proposal to reconsider the school board’s decision in May to remove the book Ban This Book from school libraries has been deleted from a board agenda. Board chair Teri Barenborg said she removed the item “in the spirit of board unity.” TCPalm.
Colleges and universities: New College of Florida trustees have approved core curriculum changes and a new mission statement over objections from faculty and students. Course modifications were made “with minimal faculty input and a complete lack of transparency,” one professor said. President Richard Corcoran said the list of required courses can be revised next year if needed. Tampa Bay Times. The Sarasota college’s trustees also have given the president the authority to remove members of the NCF Foundation fund-raising organization without cause, and to allow the chair of the trustees to appoint up to three representatives to the foundation board. Insider Higher Ed. The job description for the presidency of Florida Atlantic University calls for someone who is “bold, innovative and inspirational,” but does not require an advanced degree or even a high school diploma. Sun Sentinel. Former judge Belvin Perry Jr. has been reappointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis as a Florida A&M University trustee. Tallahassee Democrat. Polk State College began construction Thursday on the new Polk State Haines City-Davenport Campus in Haines City. It’s expected to open in the fall of 2026. Lakeland Ledger. The Lakeland Squeeze free weekend golf cart shuttle is now making a stop near housing on the Florida Southern College campus. Lakeland Now.
Around the nation: High school graduation rates dipped during the pandemic, but a recent study by researchers from nine education organizations also concludes that rates went up in states that waived requirements to pass a high school exit exam. Chalkbeat.
Opinions on schools: The first priority of Republicans in Washington should be passing and signing the Educational Choice for Children Act. This bill aims to provide educational opportunities outside the public school system for millions of students over the next four years. Shaka Mitchell, NextSteps.
