R.I.P.: Longtime Pinellas teachers union leader Jade Moore dies of complications following a stroke. The family has scheduled a memorial service for 4 p.m. Jan. 3 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2001 Rainbow Drive in Clearwater. (Times file photo, 1977)

FEW SURPRISES HERE: The plan to cover Florida's $2.3-billion shortfall relies on spending cuts, a gambling pact and reserve accounts. Pinellas superintendent Julie Janssen says she's preparing cut as deeply as possible. Leon begins reviewing its budget, too, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. Bay officials begin planning to close schools, the Panama City News-Herald reports.

CRAFTY ELVES: Hernando Explorer K-8 fifth graders get some help from Home Depot in making gifts for the holidays.

STOP HIRING RETIREES: Broward's teachers call on the district to no longer hire retired administrators and educators, saying it's a drain on the budget during a time of cuts, the Miami Herald reports. More from the Sun-Sentinel.

DON'T CLOSE OUR SCHOOL, PART 1: Parents protest after their Riviera Beach private school sends home a note saying it will close immediately because it's out of money, the Palm Beach Post reports.

DON'T CLOSE OUR SCHOOL, PART 2: Students at Orange's Evans High say their school is not beyond salvation, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

AYP STRUGGLES: Lake schools can't seem to meet federal progress standards, so the new superintendent is crafting some plans to get there, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

COMMUNITY TIES: Manatee's Samoset Elementary connects with its low-income neighborhood to help improve the lives of its students, the Herald-Tribune reports.

DONE IN THE SUN: Northwest Florida State College president Bob Richburg defends a March trustees meeting in Tallahassee with lawmakers as above board, the Northwest Florida Daily News reports.