The big story: Florida’s debate over the appropriateness of children’s books has begun shifting from schools to public libraries.
The Pasco County library advisory board on Tuesday began discussing how it might revise its policies to ensure books that some county commissioners deemed “disturbing” are not so readily available for young children. Many of the books focused on LGBTQ+ themes and characters.
Commissioners asked for changes, basing their effort in part on the Florida Department of Education’s rules relating to book challenges and removals.
A handful of parents and patrons got wind of the effort and showed up to register their discontent with the proposed move. A few advisory board members also expressed their unwillingness to censor books.
County staff will continue to work on the proposals. Read more here.
Hot topics
Teacher unions: The new leaders of Duval County’s teachers union say they have implemented safeguards against another fraud scheme like the one that the group’s former president and vice president were indicted for, First Coast News reports. • Leon County teacher and school district representatives reached a tentative contract agreement after months of negotiations, WFSU reports.
Security: The Orange County school district is resuming negotiations to keep law enforcement as resource officers at all schools, WKMG reports.
School board leadership: The Volusia County School Board returned Jamie Haynes, its chairperson from 2022-24, to the chair for another two year term, WMFE reports. The board needed a new leader after its recently selected chairperson resigned under fire over comments about students and colleagues.
Principal shifts: Two Hillsborough County schools are getting new principals.
Graduation rates: Some Florida educators say the state’s record high school graduation rate doesn’t provide the full picture of schools’ performance, WUSF reports.
College admission: A state lawmaker has proposed barring undocumented immigrants from attending Florida public universities, Associated Press reports.
Attendance zones: The St. Johns County school board approved boundaries for a new K-8 school that avoided splitting communities, as residents requested, WJXT reports.
AI: The University of Florida is working to transform itself into an AI hub, Inside Higher Ed reports.
From the police blotter … A former Marion County private school principal was arrested on accusations of lewd and lascivious molestation against a minor, WCJB reports.
From the court docket … A University of Central Florida professor is suing to overturn his job suspension amid a scandal in his lab, Florida Politics reports.
Today in Tallahassee … The House Student Academic Success subcommittee meets at 9 a.m. to discuss classroom technology. • The Senate PreK-12 Education Appropriations committee meets at 9 a.m. • The House Education Administration subcommittee meets at 3:30 p.m. to discuss early learning. • The Senate Higher Education Appropriations committee meets at 1 p.m. • The State Board of Education meets at 10 a.m. in Destin.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Before you go … This mantis really does know kung fu.
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