HOW ABOUT A COMMITTEE? After hearing parents and teachers comment about early release days for planning, Hillsborough superintendent MaryEllen Elia recommends that a group form to explore possible alternatives. The School Board also gives Elia a one-year contract extension.

SETTLEMENT NEAR: Pinellas schools are close to an out-of-court deal on cases alleging the district does not provide equal education to all children.

MONEY FOR TEACHERS: Congress approves billions to protect teacher jobs in Florida and around the country. It's about time Congress took such action, the Times editorializes. More from the Miami Herald.

OOPS: Broward College students are warned to look out for ID theft after the college exposed their personal information on the Internet for several days during a computer upgrade, the Miami Herald reports.

A LITTLE HELP: Some homeless Broward children get a free school supply shopping trip donated, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

ON ALERT: Duval school officials say teachers union leaders had warning that the district might take action to break their contract before the move came, the Florida Times-Union reports.

LET THEM VOTE: Volusia voters will decide whether their school district should keep a tax rate increase to support school operating needs, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. • St. Johns voters will decide upon a four-year tax increase for capital needs, the St. Augustine Record reports. • Orange voters will get to choose their School Board chairman for the first time, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

PEP RALLY: Hundreds of new Palm Beach teachers gather to pump themselves up for the new school year, the Sun-Sentinel reports (via Palm Beach Post).

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