/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/BMKEJZXH7VFSLL66OW4OYOYVCI.JPG "Dr. Carlee Simon, the Alachua County Public Schools Superintendent, has become one of Florida's most visible proponents of school mask mandates, leading the criticism of state government efforts to curtail school district coronavirus protocols.")
If you thought Florida’s school masking battle couldn’t escalate further, think again. The state took another step on its path of punishing districts that didn’t follow its rules, this time flouting warnings from the federal government not to take that step. District officials pushed back. Read on for the latest on that story and more Florida education news.
The state withheld from the Alachua and Broward County school districts money equal to the amount of a federal grant, as promised. District officials blasted the move, saying they had not yet received the grant, Main Street Daily News reports. More from the News Service of Florida.
A parent lawsuit challenging the DeSantis administration’s stance on school masks continues to inch forward. The First District Court of Appeal released an explanation of its decision to maintain a stay in that case, indicating it agreed with the governor’s lawyers on several issues, the News Service of Florida reports.
Parent public comment is under fire. School boards in Florida and elsewhere are curbing time for residents to participate in meetings, as some sessions have grown raucous over masks and other controversial topics, Politico reports.
Hot topics
Racism: A Nassau County high school is coping with racism among students. A group of parents gathered to discuss ways to move forward after several students were suspended related to a fight spurred by a viral video, WJXT reports.
Crowding: The Clay County school district is planning to redraw attendance zones to reduce campus crowding. Some families are protesting the proposal, WJXT reports.
Bus driver shortage: The Seminole County school district is offering new incentives to attract bus drivers. They include recruitment and attendance bonuses, WKMG reports.
Other school news
Education is key to Florida’s future. That’s the message state Senate President Wilton Simpson brought to the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Politics reports.
An Osceola County teacher is under investigation for allegedly forcing students to clean feces off a bathroom floor. Unable to tell which child might have made the mess, the teacher made all the students pitch in, WESH reports.
Palm Beach County schools are reporting an increase in threats. Officials said they take each incident seriously, WPTV reports.
From the police blotter ... A Marion County high school student was arrested on accusations of taking a video of a sexual nature of another student and sharing it with others, the Citrus County Chronicle reports. • A Lee County middle schooler was arrested on accusations of bringing a stun gun to school, WINK reports.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/SFA5GAXLCZAUJOIDJCKMUZVQ7Q.JPG "Follow what’s happening in Tampa Bay schools")
Follow what’s happening in Tampa Bay schools
Subscribe to our free Gradebook newsletter
You’re all signed up!
Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Explore all your optionsFrom the court docket ... A Volusia County family has filed a $50 million lawsuit against the school district, alleging it failed to follow federal disability laws, WKMG reports.
Don’t miss a story. Yesterday’s roundup is right here.
Before you go ... World leaders are gathering in Scotland to discuss their efforts to combat climate change. Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem have weighed in with a remake of ELO’s “Mr. Blue Sky” to support sustainability. Enjoy.
• • •
Sign up for the Gradebook newsletter!
Every Thursday, get the latest updates on what’s happening in Tampa Bay area schools from Times education reporter Jeffrey S. Solochek. Click here to sign up.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/d899cc0f-b0d6-4481-ad36-fc951db3f95b.png "Jeffrey S. Solochek - Education Reporter")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/l2Xx12jF5fkwSGVQf-zDmO9ejfw=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/O47K6JSI7VM6AV2GHPEX3FXOAQ.jpg "Effort to ban books with graphic public readings spreads in Florida")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/fMyuBtJIahoF833KBVqIkWHB2SA=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3HAMRQDROFBUHNAT4VGAJLA67I.jpg "School choice grows in one of Florida’s hottest districts")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/KZG6BWJNbki-B5q8ZMg5zI_9F3I=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/SLMWAWKXLVBXNKDT4XJMRJCAJU.JPG "Florida’s New College experiment continues to grab national attention")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PXENSW6ZOCSC4CA5JJGZKX67YQ.jpg "DeSantis, citing China ties, drops 4 private school campuses from voucher programs")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MVXXMEAV4NBV5BGLVQOFIZ7ZCU.webp "Hillsborough schools data breach exposed information on over 250 students")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/K6WZWTVDJC6KWMRDDW7LKKM434.jpg "Six weeks in, Florida families, schools have yet to see voucher money")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/IVCOK6NKTFBUNP4FUI6X45CZ3E.JPG "Florida leads the nation in school book bans. That should terrify us.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/BK7T5GZP5FDRXLYLUDNXJ33KXE.jpg "Corcoran, 2 others make their case to be New College’s next president")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VHFW4IEELJAUOQEA4WGJUK2RCY.jpg "Florida families say school vouchers are unpaid, causing major disruption")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/SCTUU26QFVAHVDQPW7UI7V4IDQ.JPG "On campus with UF President Ben Sasse as he seeks a ‘north star’ beyond rankings")