Catholic school revival. The new leader of the Diocese of St. Petersburg says: "We're bucking the national trend" of declining Catholic school enrollment. He wants to keep that going. Tampa Bay Times.
Transformation. Palm Beach County's new superintendent shakes up top district ranks and rejiggers what he calls a "calcified" bureaucracy, taking aim at achievement gaps in the large South Florida school system he's now run for just over a year. Palm Beach Post. Reading is key, Robert Avossa, the chief in question, writes in a letter to the editor.
Charter schools. A South Florida charter school operator funneled tens of thousands of dollars to himself, while shuttling students around for lack of a permanent facility. His school closed, he fled, and law enforcement tracked him down. He's now being held without bail in Broward County. Sun-Sentinel.
Digital learning. St. Leo University helps Pasco County schools integrate technology into the classroom. Tampa Bay Times.
School grades. A-F ratings for Florida's public schools may drop when they are released later this month. Orlando Sentinel.
STEM. Bay County schools hope to boost science enrollment. Panama City News Herald. A Tallahassee innovator creates technology that allows every Florida school district to have its own weather station. Tallahassee Democrat.
Facilities. A proposed elementary school project in Volusia includes some fancy features. Daytona Beach News-Journal. A 12-year school restoration effort in Fort Lauderdale has been beset with constant problems. The latest: Historic pine flooring was left to rot in padlocked containers. Sun-Sentinel. A Santa Rosa high school is getting efficiency upgrades. Pensacola News-Journal.
Athletic recruiting. A school accused of bringing in "ringers" from Puerto Rico lets go of its coach while it awaits word on the pending investigation. Palm Beach Post.
Student needs. An Alachua County elementary school teacher plans to bike 4,000 miles from Maine to California to raise awareness for affordable housing. Gainesville Sun. Manatee school officials prepare for the district's annual "Christmas in August" event that helps homeless students get ready for the school year ahead. Bradenton Herald.
Bargaining. The Hillsborough teachers union wants to limit the amount of time guidance counselors spend proctoring exams in a proposed work rule. Gradebook.
Vo tech. The St. John's school district announces plans to get a technical education center back on stable footing. St. Augustine Record.
Adult ed. Orange County plans a new center in South Apopka. Orlando Sentinel.
PR. Two new Orange County Public Schools media relations hires will earn roughly $220,000 between them. Orlando Sentinel.
Open records. The St. John's district and a blogger-cum-public-records advocate head to court. St. Augustine Record.
Administration. Lee County schools make staff moves. Fort Myers News-Press.
Turnarounds. Hundreds of teacher transfers tied to state-mandated turnarounds are complete in Pinellas. Gradebook.
