Zika and schools: Gov. Rick Scott orders Florida's Department of Health and Department of Education to provide mosquito repellent and teacher tool kits to all schools in Miami-Dade, Broward, Martin, Monroe and Palm Beach counties as a response to the continuing spread of the Zika virus. The state also will send educational materials to all schools, and Scott is requiring that each district have a plan to quickly deal with any suspected Zika cases. Health News Florida. News Service of Florida. Gradebook.

Recess initiative: Some state legislators are asking the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to research the ways school districts handle recess. Those lawmakers want the data this month so they can begin drafting bills for the next legislative session. Bills are due in January. An initiative to require daily recess was defeated in the last session. Gradebook.

Teacher shortage: A day before Marion County schools open, the district is still trying to hire 96 teachers to fill open positions. Superintendent George Tomyn says substitutes will be in the classroom until the hires can be made, hopefully in the next few months. “This is happening all across the state,” Tomyn said. Ocala Star Banner.

Enrollment growth: The Palm Beach County School District expects additional enrollment of 3,000 to 5,000 on the first day of school Aug. 15. The district is the 12th-largest in the United States. The district also says it will add 75 students in two popular magnet programs. Sun-Sentinel. Palm Beach Post. (more…)