Guns at schools: The Lee County School Board postpones a discussion about allowing licensed gun owners to keep firearms locked in their cars at schools. All firearms are currently banned from school property, but board member Steven Teuber is proposing the change in policy. Fort Myers News-Press.
School staffing: Lake County School Superintendent Diane Kornegay says the district's schools have 65 more teachers than they need, and it's costing the district $4.5 million. She will reassess the situation after Labor Day, when school enrollment starts to stabilize. Some teachers will be shifted to meet class-size requirements, but district spokeswoman Sherri Owens says layoffs have not been discussed. Daily Commercial.
School enrollment: Enrollment in Palm Beach County charter schools has dropped for the first time in a decade. Charter schools have an enrollment of 19,803, down 939 from last year. Charters still make up more than 10 percent of the district's 193,973 students. Palm Beach Post.
Call for choice: Leon County School Board member Rosanne Wood is calling for an expansion of school choice in the district. She wants school officials to set up a task force on magnet schools and choice. Wood writes on her website: "Americans love choice; walk through the cereal or toothpaste isle at any store if you’re not convinced. All parents want the very best for their children. Many are willing to make sacrifices of money and convenience to enroll their child in what they perceive as the best available school." redefinED.
Gambling and charters: Under a gambling bill filed in the Florida House, a third of the estimated $400 million revenue from the state's agreement would go to charter schools, a third to K-12 teacher bonuses, recruitment and training, and a third to recruiting and retaining higher education faculty. The House bill would protect the status quo for gambling in the state, while the Florida Senate's bill would greatly expand slot machines and Indian gaming. Miami Herald. Politico Florida.
Recess movement: While some educators and legislators say they're concerned that mandating daily recess for all the state's elementary schools could hurt classtime flexibility for teachers, there does not appear to be an organized movement to block the measure. State Rep. Rene Plasencia, R-Orlando, said, "there's no one that's actively lobbying against" the effort. Miami Herald.
Bathroom access: School leaders around Florida say they will continue to protect the rights of transgender children despite President Trump's decision to rescind a directive that urged schools to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms and locker rooms of the gender they identify with. But districts without specific policies are looking for direction on ways to accommodate transgender students within the law. Orlando Sentinel. Miami Herald. Sun-Sentinel. Tampa Bay Times. WPLG. WFTV.
District's food truck: The Alachua County School Board has bought a food truck for $154,000, and will move it around between schools to try to get students interested in eating healthier food. The truck is expected to be ready for service by mid-April. Gainesville Sun. (more…)
