HERE TO HELP: Hillsborough schools enter a new, Gates Foundation-funded era where mentors will spend time guiding new teachers to classroom success.  (Times photo, Stephen J. Coddington)

SCHOOL LEADERS: About 20 Wesley Chapel High upperclassmen learn about leadership in preparation to advise freshmen throughout the school year.

YOU BETTER SHOW UP: Pinellas looks to stiffen its attendance rules.

NO NEW TAXES: The Hernando School Board approves a budget with no tax rate increase, and next will consider whether to ask voters for permission to impose a critical needs operating millage in the future.

BACK TO SCHOOL HILLSBOROUGH: Student uniforms turn 20 • Calendar changes • Cell phone tower leases raise needed money • Budget cuts help cover revenue shortfalls

NO PROBLEMS? Early results indicate that the FCAT anomalies that some superintendents complained about are not that far off historical ranges, the Florida Times-Union reports.

KEEP AN EYE OUT: The St. Lucie sheriff's office asks parents to help monitor school bus stops, the Port St. Lucie Tribune reports.

STAY OUT OF TROUBLE: Two Duval schools will start a program aimed at helping at-risk elementary school girls, the Florida Times-Union reports.

NO RAISES: Palm Beach avoids layoffs in its budget but can't find funds to give teachers more money, the Palm Beach Post reports.

FREE BREAKFAST: Volusia will offer free breakfast to all students at nine schools where more than 80 percent of children qualify as low-income, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.

PLEA BARGAIN: Former Monroe administrator (and superintendent spouse) Monique Acevedo appears ready to plead out her fraud charges, the Keynoter reports.