Florida creates state-level appeal for school book challenges

The big news: Florida schools have seen increasing numbers of library books become subject of parent or community member objections.

School boards’ decisions whether to keep or dump the titles generally have been the final word. But not for much longer.

The State Board of Education is working on a rule that would allow parents to appeal a board’s action on a challenged book to a state magistrate.

Lawmakers intend the process to give communities added say in the books on their school shelves. Some observers worry it might carry unintended consequences. Read more here.

Hot topics

History lessons: State college and university leaders remain uncertain how to proceed as they await a court ruling on the constitutionality of Florida’s law restricting lessons on race, gender and sexuality, WFSU reports. • Statewide coalitions are forming to oppose limits on teaching about Black history, the Weekly Challenger reports.

Superintendents: The Sarasota County School Board has reached a tentative contract agreement with newly selected superintendent Terrence Connor, the Herald-Tribune reports.

Teacher vacancies: Schools in Marion, Sumter and Lake counties are trying to fill hundreds of jobs before students return, Villages Daily Sun reports. • The Hernando County school district has approved a new alternative teacher certification program, Suncoast News reports. Some instructional aides and substitute teachers have shown interest already.

University leadership: United Faculty of Florida has called on chancellor Ray Rodrigues to allow Florida Atlantic University’s president search to resume unimpeded, or to resign, News Service of Florida reports. FAU officials meanwhile defended their search process, which Rodrigues has alleged was problematic, WPTV reports.

Weapons on campus: South Florida school district officials say they want to revisit policies to ensure they specifically prohibit guns on campuses, WTVJ reports. The issue arose after a judge’s ruling in a St. Lucie County case earlier this summer.

Other school news

A Pinellas County couple opened a small private school to serve a predominantly Black neighborhood of St. Petersburg. Parental figures are expected to play an active role, and they have as the school has grown.

The former principal of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Broward County continues to get a principal’s salary, without the corresponding work. Some family members of victims of the 2018 shooting massacre at the school are upset with the situation, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

The Villages asked the city of Wildwood to provide crossing guards for busy walking areas on the way to two charter schools. City commissioners did not approve the request, but the issue is expected to resurface, the Villages News reports.

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