PAY IT FORWARD: Students at Pasco's Northwest Elementary School work to send books to children in impoverished parts of the world, such as Tanzania and India. (Photo special to the Times)

HOLD OFF: Pinellas Gibbs High postpones plans for longer school days until it can negotiate compensation for its teachers and staff. 

SEEKING STEPS: Representatives for Pasco school employees make their case for salary steps and increased benefits.

TALKING EDUCATION: GOP candidate for governor Rick Scott touts his education plan in southeast Hillsborough County.

LOBBYING FOR LACOOCHEE: Supporters of Lacoochee Elementary principal Karen Marler keep up the heat for her return as district officials end their review of complaints about Marler's management.

TOP OF THE CLASS: Pinwheels for Peace helps Fox Hollow Elementary kids promote understanding • Unity, focus pushed at Hernando summit for youth 

DEBT, NO DEGREE: Many students attending for-profit colleges in Florida and elsewhere amass large debts but drop out before completing their degrees, the Sun-Sentinel reports. More from the Miami Herald.

DESEG DEAL: Orange schools and the NAACP reach an agreement to end decades of court oversight, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

COPING WITH CLASS SIZE: Schools on Florida's Treasure Coast try to comply with class size rules, but leaders say it's not easy with budgets tight, the Stuart News reports. • It's a similar story in Okaloosa County, the Northwest Florida Daily News reports.

PAY UP: A private school balks at a request to pay to participate in Polk's annual academic competition of middle school students, the Lakeland Ledger reports.