Proposed overhaul: Pinellas County school officials announce a series of changes to address problems at several high-poverty schools in black neighborhoods of St. Petersburg. Under the plan, the district would hire a minority achievement officer, create special centers for students suspended out of school, and establish a "transformation zone" with intense support for Pinellas' failing elementary schools that includes paying teachers up to $25,000 more a year, a longer school day and more control over the curriculum and schedule. The district is being taken to court for its failures educating black students, and a federal civil rights investigation also has been launched. Tampa Bay Times. In neighboring Hillsborough County, Superintendent Jeff Eakins proposes a decentralization of the district's structure. Eakins would establish eight area school districts that operate with greater independence and under the direction of an area superintendent. Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Tribune.

Financial literacy: There's a lack of financial literacy education in schools, according to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Among the findings in Florida schools: Fewer than 10 percent of teachers talk about personal finance, often because they don't feel qualified, and teachers also say they lack appropriate curriculum and take-home materials. Florida Trend.

Hefty payback? The Broward County School District may have to repay $23 million in federal funds designed to help low-income students. The state's auditor general says the money was improperly distributed. The auditor also also says the district paid health insurance premiums for former employees who were ineligible and in some cases dead, and didn't correct safety violations. Sun-Sentinel.

Gender expression: The Hillsborough County School Board approves a policy that includes protections for students and staff  based on "gender expression." It joins gender identity, along with race, religion, national origin and disability as areas protected from discrimination and harassment. More training for staff is also recommended. Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Tribune. For the third time in three months, opponents and supporters of transgender bathroom policies protest at the Sarasota County School Board meeting. The district deals with transgender bathroom on a case-by-case basis. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. (more…)