Around the state: A religious sign ban in Broward, a book challenge policy update in Alachua, the teachers union raises issues with the school district in Lee and a housing survey in Manatee. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Broward: Religious signs would be banned from Broward County schools under a policy change. The School Board is scheduled to vote on Dec. 17 on whether to approve the change in policy that would ban religious groups from appearing on banners on school grounds. The School Board discussed it during a workshop on Tuesday, and only one of the nine board members voiced concerns about the proposed change. The proposal is the result of a lawsuit. South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Lee: There are currently 131 instructional positions open in Lee County. The Teachers Association of Lee County took up the fight against the Lee County School District. In the summer, an arbiter ruled the school district had to pay $5.5 million. The district also created a list of who would get paid. But the union claims that not all teachers received the funds they deserved. “We are the lowest starting salary in Southwest Florida, with, you know, probably the second highest cost of living, just behind Collier County. The district needs to start paying attention to if we’re going to beat the trend and get as many highly qualified teachers as we can here in Lee County,” said Kevin Daly, the president of the Teacher’s Association of Lee County. WINK.
Manatee: A survey showed this county’s high housing prices have most school teachers looking for an affordable place they can live. The survey, which drew almost 300 responses, found that the majority of workers would be open to the idea of living in an affordable apartment complex that was built for district employees. The Manatee County School Board is still weighing a developer’s plan to build 132 apartments for district employees on five acres of land owned by the district in Bradenton. Bradenton Herald.
St. Lucie: Somerset College Prep Academy has a new security policy being used to screen faculty and staff. The new policy includes advising the school of the clearance status of the candidate in addition to providing information regarding “whether a candidate has a criminal record.” Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, says there should be universal and strict standards for anyone who works with children in Florida schools, both public and private. “We should do everything we can to make sure that they are safe, that they are secure, and that they have the best people working with them,” Spar said. CBS 12.
Alachua: The School Board approved the first reading of an amendment to its policy on book challenges during a regular meeting on Tuesday. The new amendment prohibits residents who are not the parent or guardian of a student with access to school district materials from objecting to more than one material per month. In addition, the amendment clarifies the review process and removes the requirement for a hearing officer, and notes that the school board’s decision — based on the recommendation of a hearing committee — will be final. Main Street Daily News.
Holiday season: Twinkling lights and festive music are part of the holiday season. But for children with autism, it can create a sensory overload, prompting experts to offer tips to help. WLRN.
Colleges and universities: No pedestrian crashes were recorded during the fall semester in the area where a hit-and-run driver killed a Florida State student in April. ABC Action News.
Opinions on schools: Child care is notoriously unaffordable for many American families. Gabrielle Pepin, The 74th.
