NO TOWER: Hundreds of South Tampa parents and residents protest plans to erect a 100-foot cell phone tower on the Coleman Middle School campus.

BUILDING BOUNDARIES: Pasco raises few concerns in drawing attendance zones for two new schools, but expects greater outcry later this year when it revisits the boundaries of all its western middle and high schools.

STUDENT SCIENTISTS: Bartels Middle School eighth-grader has a mind for science; Budding scientists learn field skills (Chasco Middle)

BAD TEACHER ALERT: Dowdell Middle teacher Mary K. Dwyer faces jail time after being convicted of battery charges for slamming a student's hand in a door.

BUDGET ROUNDUP: The Florida House is scheduled to vote on the budget changes today, AP reports. Lee school leaders warn of major cuts if lawmakers adopt the current budget balancing plan, and urge residents to lobby to protect education funding, the Fort Myers News-Press reports. Volusia begins its cutting, including elimination of JV sports, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. UCF moves to impose new fees, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

STATE COLLEGE OR BUST: Florida Community College at Jacksonville aims to reorganize itself into a four-year state college by summer despite the tough economy, the Florida Times-Union reports.

USE THE MONEY BETTER: Several Florida education organizations urge lawmakers to cancel the state's school recognition program and put the money toward general education funding, the Stuart News reports.

BIG BOOST? Lottery officials say Powerball could bump interest in the game, generating more money for Florida schools, WBBH in Fort Myers reports.

TAKE THIS CUP ... Palm Beach plans to institute random drug testing on its student athletes, the Sun-Sentinel reports.