Technology. StateImpact delves into E-rate, the obscure funding source helping schools go wireless. Hillsborough officials say they’ve worked most of the kinks out of their online gradebook software. Tampa Tribune. Manatee schools upgrade their Microsoft suite. Bradenton Herald.
Growth. Escambia officials are pushing a local school tax as a way to fund new buildings needed to accommodate an expected influx of jobs to the area. Pensacola News-Journal.
Teachers unions. The Sun-Sentinel reports on the Florida Education Association’s intervention in an ongoing leadership election dispute in Palm Beach County.
Testing. Collier County schools officials say they’re still waiting on the state to release a test item bank. Naples Daily News.
Low-income students. Hillsborough schools help outfit students with clothing, hygiene items, and other essentials. Tampa Tribune.
Retention. Collier schools look to get third graders up to grade level. Naples Daily News.
Employee benefits. Manatee schools officials weigh health insurance issues. Bradenton Herald. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Flagler schools add domestic partners to their bereavement policy. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Teacher conduct. The Duval school board fires one teacher. Another is suspended for offenses that include a report of “twerking.” Florida Times-Union.
Discipline. Escambia students won’t see their grades suffer as a reuslt of suspensions under a new policy. Pensacola News-Journal.
STEM. Scientists, engineers and educators need to work together to tackle the under-representation of minorities in key science fields, Paul Cottle writes at Bridge to Tomorrow.
Vals and sals. The Pasco superintendent ponders a deluge of public input on honorary titles for graduates. Tampa Bay Times.
Superintendents. The Tampa Tribune reports Pinellas schools are making progress under Superintendent Mike Grego.
Calendars. Palm Beach schools revive discussion of year-round school. Palm Beach Post.
Transportation. St. Johns schools officials work to make sure their buses aren’t affected by a nationwide Blue Bird recall. Florida Times-Union.
