LESS TO CUT: Changes to retirement contributions reduces Hillsborough's school budget shortfall to $5.8 million.

GOP PICK: The Hernando Republican Party recommends a Pasco school teacher to serve in the nonpartisan Hernando School Board vacancy that Gov. Rick Scott must fill. 

GRADUATION NEWS: Hernando Central holds a special ceremony for its graduating students with special needs. • Pasco Sunlake seniors celebrate being the first class to spend four years at the school. • Zephyrhills High seniors play kids' games in the stadium to enjoy one last fun time together.

TOP OF THE CLASS: Land O"Lakes High IB valedictorian and salutatorian 

CUT THE BUSING: The Pinellas School Board should do more to cut school busing and less to slash spending elsewhere, the Times editorializes.

BUDGET CUTS: Santa Rosa school officials consider moving high schools to six period days to eliminate teaching positions and electives amid spending reductions, the Pensacola News-Journal reports. • Indian River eliminates some top administrative jobs, the Vero Beach Press-Journal reports. • The Polk School Board considers pay cuts, the Lakeland Ledger reports. 

STILL SEARCHING: The deadline for applications to be Florida education commissioner arrives with little information available publicly, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

LABOR NEWS: Thousands of Broward teachers protest layoffs and demand raises, the Sun-Sentinel reports. • Clay teachers approve a new contract with raises for 2011-12, the Florida Times-Union reports. • Volusia approves new teacher and administrator evaluations, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.

ALL ALONE: A Broward bus driver and bus aide face disciplinary action after leaving a kindergartner alone on a bus almost all day, the Sun-Sentinel reports.