School security: Clear backpacks were in use Monday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and the verdict is in: the students don't like them. Some say they aren't effective and convey a false sense of security, and others say it's an invasion of privacy. Many personalized the backpacks with protest messages. Sun-Sentinel. WPLG. School leaders in central Florida say the security measures mandated by the new state law will cost more than they've been given and will take too long to implement. For example, money for hardening schools isn't likely to be distributed until 2019. Orlando Sentinel. Putnam County School Board members seem to favor putting resource officers in every school instead of arming school personnel, but need to find about $1 million to hire those officers. WJAX. One overlooked aspect of a school or district arming teachers or school employees is insurance. Some carriers decline to insure schools who arm staff because of heightened liability. NBC News. Lake County School Board members and district officials participate in a mock active-shooter exercise. Orlando Sentinel.

Cell phones in schools: Cell phones are becoming more accepted in U.S. schools, according to a new survey by the National Center for Education Statistics. About two-thirds of U.S. schools still ban cell phones in school, but that's down from 90 percent in 2009-2010. The change is more striking among high school students. Eight years ago, 80 percent of high schools banned them from schools. Now it's about 35 percent. Researchers say parents want to be able to contact their children in emergencies, and districts are finding that phones offer another learning tool that doesn't cost them money. Associated Press.

Podcast teacher resigns: The Citrus County middle school social studies teacher who hosted a white nationalist podcast under a pseudonym is resigning. Dayanna Volitich, 25, acknowledged assuming the name Tiana Dalichov for her podcast, in which she told listeners that some races don't learn as well as others and that Muslims needed to be "eradicated." She claimed her comments were satirical. Volitich was removed from her Crystal River Middle School classroom in March, and submitted her resignation Monday. Citrus County Chronicle. WTSP. WFLA. (more…)