Bright Futures: A bill that allows high school students to fulfill service or religious requirements and still receive Bright Future scholarships is signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott. Gradebook. Scott also signs more than 30 other bills into law. Miami Herald.

Fire-breather's bill: Atlantic High School is being billed $500 for the fire-breather's performance that went awry when his face caught on fire. It's unclear if the school is planning to pay. Palm Beach Post.

Ethics ruling: The Florida Commission on Ethics rules that a school board member may not accept more than $100 in gifts from her boyfriend if he's a vendor with the school district. Gradebook.

Teacher planning time: Lee County middle- and high-school teachers will get daily planning time built into their schedules for the first time in more than a decade, school officials announce. The time will be equivalent to one class period a day. It starts in August and is expected to cost the district $2.5 million. Fort Myers News-Press.

Activities and absences: Pasco County schools officials are reconsidering the district's policy that prohibits extracurricular activities for students with unexcused absences. The district now believes such a ban may increase unexcused absences. Tampa Bay Times.

Pay discrepancy: A teacher's complaint about pay inequity prompts an investigation by the Manatee County School District and the teachers union. A Lee Middle School civics teacher says another teacher with the same number of degrees and experience is being paid more than she is. Bradenton Herald. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. (more…)