CHOICES AND COMPETITION: Gov. Rick Scott and his new education adviser, Michelle Rhee, visit an Opa-Locka charter school to discuss their vision for Florida's school system, the Miami Herald reports. (AP photo)

BACK OFF: Duval school officials tell their legislative delegation they want fewer unfunded mandates and more flexibility in using the money they get, the Florida Times-Union reports.

START YOUR OWN: Dissatisfied with the quality of local high schools, Palm Beach billionaire Bill Koch decides to open a private school, the Palm Beach Post reports.

IS MORE BETTER? Collier will launch a pilot 200-day school year for some students to see if it helps boost their performance, the Naples Daily News reports.

PAY UP: Lee schools crack down on delinquent cafeteria debts, the Fort Myers News-Press reports.

11 HOPEFULS: The list of candidates to become Indian River superintendent grows, the Vero Beach Press-Journal reports.

NO SMOKING: Florida International University bans smoking everywhere on campus, including in cars, the Miami Herald reports. • The Marion school district ponders a similar no-smoking policy, the Ocala Star-Banner reports.

DON'T TOUCH: A family sues the Volusia school district, contending their daughter was inappropriately touched by a teacher's assistant, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.

LABOR NEWS: Teacher contract talks reach impasse in Polk, the Lakeland Ledger reports.

NIMBY: An Alachua subdivision prepares to sue the school district over a planned new elementary school, the Gainesville Sun reports.