/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/JF452PNETFBCVM3ORFSQHCR7AU.JPG "Information about the University of South Florida presidential search campus visits is displayed on the screen at the USF S. Pete University Student Center on Monday, March 21, 2022 in St. Petersburg.")
The big story: It’s $1.1 million.
That’s how much money the University of South Florida’s new president could be paid annually, according to the contract the Board of Governors approved on Wednesday. Some comes in base salary, some deferred and some through performance bonuses.
Rhea Law, the school’s eighth president, also will get a monthly car allowance plus use of a campus house. Most of the pay will come through the university foundation, as state law caps the amount of taxpayer money toward a university president’s salary at $200,000 a year.
All told, Law, a lawyer without any previous experience in higher education administration, will be among the top 12 highest paid university presidents in the nation. Read more here.
The University of Florida continues its search for a president. The trustees have named a selection committee, Mainstreet Daily News reports.
More on higher education
Members of the Board of Governors had some choice words for their accrediting agency. They said tensions have been building for more than a year, the News Service of Florida reports.
University of Florida students and faculty held a teach-in for academic freedom. They’ve complained for months that the school administration has infringed upon their freedoms, WUFT reports.
From the court docket ... A UF professor sued the school over claims that he was prevented from discussing COVID with his students, the Gainesville Sun reports.
Hot topics
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/P7BHGVZ2L5FVHDWFSFKO6TIACQ.jpg "Elliot Long protests legislation regarding gender lessons in schools outside Classical Preparatory Academy in Pasco County as Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the bill into law inside the school on March 28, 2022. Long, a transgender parent, said he is considering whether to withdraw his child from Classical Prep because it hosted the bill signing.")
Gender lessons: Two parents whose children attend the school where Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1557 on gender lessons into law say their school never should have hosted the event. Now they’re talking about leaving. • Does the bill apply to charter schools? Depends who you ask, Florida Phoenix reports. For more on that subject, check out today’s Gradebook newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. • A Miami queer mom who’s running for the state Legislature questioned which parents the state is providing rights to, ABC reports. • U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona will visit students and families in Orlando to discuss the measure and mark Transgender Visibility Day.
Race lessons: Amid community battles over classroom instruction, a Brevard County community cultural center will host a presentation on the facts and fictions about critical race theory, Florida Today reports. • These hotly debated topics in Florida and Indiana were the subject of NPR’s daily politics blog on Wednesday.
State Board of Education politics: Two newly appointed members of the State Board of Education signaled their conservative priorities during their first meeting, Florida Phoenix reports.
Teacher pay: North Florida school district officials say their share of state funding will help improve veteran educators’ wages, WJXT reports.
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Explore all your optionsSchool choice: The Leon County school district is facing a financial shortfall as more families take advantage of state scholarship and voucher programs that pull money away from districts, WFSU reports.
School news
The Orange County School Board is contemplating completely getting rid of its mask policy. Some board members said the rule is outdated, WMFE reports.
The Martin County school district will use federal coronavirus relief funds to subsidize health insurance cost increases. Employees could save up to $120 a month, WPTV reports.
A Bay County charter school faces complaints that it does not honor its community’s history. The school principal said they are working to establish relationships, the Panama City News Herald reports.
Escambia County’s superintendent says minority students are not achieving at levels he would like to see. He’s developing strategies to address the situation, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.
From the police blotter ... A teacher at a Hillsborough County private school was arrested on allegations of possessing child pornography. • An Orange County teacher and cheerleading coach was arrested on accusations of molesting children, WKMG reports.
Don’t miss a story. Yesterday’s roundup is a click away.
Before you go ... It’s a new take on a classic country song. Enjoy.
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/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/d899cc0f-b0d6-4481-ad36-fc951db3f95b.png "Jeffrey S. Solochek - Education Reporter")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/J-1RX3NKjWdEK9aL7OduQE9Xz_M=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/6UN2MAGJOUI6TMRBPAY4DVT77I.jpg "Florida school districts see superintendent shifts, with more coming")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VBPRKO7JHBQT6PO7Z45KKNTNEE.jpg "Florida OKs emergency move allowing TikTok ban at all universities")
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/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DP2I2KWLURBYLMXTYOYRAKXJZA.jpg "DeSantis signs far-reaching school voucher expansion into Florida law")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/27PEJBKORFFSXLNJVH2Y42F4UU.jpeg "Tampa Bay area schools grapple with book, movie challenges")
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