In the fight for authority over charter schools within their geographic boundaries, the Hillsborough and Hernando school districts have stood among the most vocal critics of the Florida Schools of Excellence Commission.

Now they're poised to see the FSE marginalized within their counties.

On the recommendation of a hearing officer, education commissioner Eric J. Smith is recommending that Hillsborough and Hernando - along with Broward, Polk and Sarasota - be given exclusive charter-granting authority. Eleven other districts, including Pinellas, did not receive enough points after informal hearings to win the commissioner's blessing.

See the revised point estimates here.

Pasco schools, along with 15 others that were initially rejected, did not ask for hearings. Many of them are involved in a court challenge to the constitutionality of the FSE, figuring the ultimate ruling will render the entire debate moot (see the court documents here).

Oral arguments in the case are expected as early as September.