Education spending: Gov. Rick Scott releases his proposed budget today, which calls for an increase in the state's Bright Futures program but doesn't account for enrollment growth in schools or provide an answer to the House's plan to trim property taxes, which could cut funding for schools. News Service of Florida. Orlando Sentinel. Politico Florida.

Alternate graduation path: Florida Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, files a bill creating alternative paths to high school graduation for students who don't pass state-required algebra and language arts tests. Unlike the House's version of this bill, Montford's does not allow state students to skip the exams and still have options for graduation. Gradebook.

District considering leasing: The Palm Beach County School Board is considering a proposal to have a developer build a high school that the district would then lease. "We can't build. We don't have the money," said school board member Karen Brill. "This would be the answer to the prayers of many young families in west Boynton Beach." The district will receive $1.6 billion from a sales tax initiative approved in November, but that money is committed to repairing existing schools, upgrading technology and buying school buses. Palm Beach Post. Sun-Sentinel. (more…)