Despite protests, UF trustees pick Sasse as the school’s next president

The big story: The University of Florida (nearly) has its 13th president.

After all the protests and the noise — including a faculty senate vote of no confidence in the secretive process — U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska walked into the post after a lengthy Q&A with trustees. The vote was unanimous.

Next up, Sasse must win approval from the system Board of Governors. That’s expected to take place next week in Tampa. Read more here.

Hot topics

Book challenges: “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” became one of the first titles removed from schools by the Escambia County School Board, WEAR reports. It won’t be allowed as optional study for seniors.

Hurricane recovery: Some Sarasota County teachers returned to work despite dealing with devastation at home from Hurricane Ian, the Herald-Tribune reports.

“Indoctrination”: Experts on McCarthyism say Florida’s new laws restricting instruction have put the state’s education system on a path toward repression, Miami New Times reports.

Student health: Parents at a Seminole County elementary school are complaining about air quality issues that are making students sick, WOFL reports. • The Monroe County School Board set student health and academic achievement as its top priorities for its strategic plan, the Keys Citizen reports.

Teacher pay: Osceola County teachers filled their district School Board meeting to demand better pay, WFTV reports. • The Pinellas County school district moved to create an affordable housing complex for teachers, staff and other government workers who struggle to make rent, the Tampa Bay Business Journal reports.

Other school news

Duval County schools continue to struggle with late buses and dozens of driver vacancies. Officials say they are weeks away from a resolution, WJAX reports.

A Leon County mom is calling for metal detectors in schools after a student was arrested with a gun on campus. Superintendent Rocky Hanna said he’s not opposed to the idea, WCTV reports.

From the police blotter ... A Martin County high school student was investigated after others saw her in the school restroom with a gun. It was a prop from a theater class, TC Palm reports.

From the court docket ... Survivors and families of victims in the 2018 Parkland school shooting got a chance to speak out before the shooter is formally sentenced, the Associated Press reports. • Lawyers for the University of South Florida urged the state Supreme Court to consider a case involving a student dispute over fees collected during the coronavirus pandemic, the News Service of Florida reports.

Don’t miss a story. Yesterday’s roundup is just a click away.

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