Legal challenge to Florida’s ‘parental rights in education’ law is refiled

The big story: File opposition to Florida’s new law on lessons about gender identity and sexual orientation under the “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” tag.

Tossed out of federal court for having no legal standing, a group of parents, students and teachers have filed a revised complaint against the measure, claiming they suffer “concrete harm” from the law.

“They have been denied equal educational opportunities they would like to receive, in the curriculum and beyond, and they have been subjected to a discriminatory educational environment that treats LGBTQ people and issues as something to be shunned and avoided, on pain of discipline and liability,” the 60-page lawsuit said.

The case includes plaintiffs from Pasco and Manatee counties in the Tampa Bay area. Read more from the News Service of Florida.

Hot topics

UF presidential search: Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse will be interviewed by the University of Florida’s Board of Trustees today, before the board will vote on whether he will become the university’s next president-elect. The vote follows weeks of protests and votes of no-confidence in the selection process. • Sasse, who has been criticized for his public stances on LGBTQ issues and lack of experience at a major research university, was named sole finalist in a process largely closed from the public under a new law in early October. His first visit to campus was met by a large protest. The university since announced it would enforce an old rule to ban protests indoors. • A protest is still scheduled for outside the building Sasse is to be interviewed in. Here’s the agenda, which includes a link to the website where you can watch the action. — Divya Kumar, staff writer

Book challenges: The Pinellas County School Board is considering policy revisions aimed at protecting teachers while also conforming to state law regarding book selection and challenges. Board members said they’ve heard educators are removing titles from their classrooms pre-emptively to avoid battles.

School board elections: The race for a Lafayette County board seat features the spouses of two brothers, incumbent Marion McCray against challenger Mary Anne McCray, WUFT reports. • Three Palm Beach County board seats are up for consideration on Election Day, the Palm Beach Post reports. • A Broward County School Board member removed by Gov. Ron DeSantis is trying to win back her seat, WLRN reports.

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Education politics: National political advocacy groups are getting increasingly involved in school board elections. One Brevard County candidate talks about how she welcomed but moderated their support in this story from Education Week. • Florida-based Moms for Liberty has led the field in putting education at the forefront of election issues. What’s their motivation? The New Yorker reports.

Affirmative action: The U.S. Supreme Court cast doubts on the future of using race as an admission factor for colleges and universities, the Associated Press reports.

Other school news

A Seminole County mom is raising concerns about her child’s trip home after school. She says drivers speed through the school zone to avoid pickup traffic, potentially endangering children, Spectrum 13 reports.

A group of Miami-Dade County parents says they love their school’s academic offerings. They’re worried about the school’s physical condition, though, WTVJ reports.

A Hillsborough County high school senior with cerebral palsy died days after choking in the school cafeteria. Family members are trying to find out what went wrong, WTVT reports.

The newly announced homecoming king at a Brevard County high school handed his crown and sash to a fellow student who has a brain injury. “He can strike up a conversation, he’s funny, he’s a nice guy and he’s the mayor. He’s mister mayor is what we call him,” senior James Verpaele told WKMG of Parks Finney. “He’s just like a brother to all of us.”

Ham radio is alive and well at an Alachua County high school. Students are using the system to communicate with others around the world, Main Street Daily News reports.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link for yesterday’s roundup.

Before you go ... It was marching band competition time over the weekend, with all the uniformed student musicians taking the field to go for superior marks. The huge and talented Sickles High band took on “West Side Story” for its show. Advance the video to the 4 minute mark, and enjoy the performance.

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