The big story: Florida Republicans’ zeal to advance lessons about Western civilization has gained steam throughout the tenure of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
One of their initiatives toward that goal was to create a special academic center at the state’s flagship university.
But as the Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education got off the ground at the University of Florida, it stirred a hornet’s nest of campus politics that wound up riling at least one influential donor upset with what he was seeing. Investigations were started and dropped. Faculty members who felt pressure wound up leaving.
The departure of former president Ben Sasse has left many hopeful they can put the situation behind them and get on with the business at hand. Read more from the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Hot topics
Book challenges: A Hernando County Moms for Liberty member has called for the school district to remove of the book “What Girls Are Made Of,” calling it pornographic, Suncoast News reports.
Career education: Generation Z Floridians increasingly are looking to post high school career and technical programs that don’t require a college degree and loads of student debt, Florida Trend reports.
The DeSantis agenda: Voters will decide the extent of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ influence in Florida public education, as they consider school board candidates who back his agenda and choose whether to make board elections partisan in the future, Politico Florida reports.
Employee discipline: An Alachua County high school assistant principal and athletic director were placed on administrative leave as district officials look into allegations of sexual harassment against the two, WCJB reports. • A Santa Rosa County school district employee accused of financial improprieties resigned in lieu of termination, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.
Hurricane aftermath: Children returned to Manatee County’s Anna Maria Elementary School for the first time since Hurricane Helene, which flooded their campus, WUSF reports. They had been attending classes at a different school for 42 days.
School closures: Three Duval County schools will close at the end of the current academic year, with another three to shutter after the following year, Jacksonville Today reports. Board members said they wanted more public input moving forward.
Superintendents: Former Collier County superintendent Kamela Patton will serve as interim leader of the Alachua County school district while the board seeks a permanent superintendent, the Gainesville Sun reports. • Lee County voters will elect their school superintendent for the first time since the 1970s, WINK reports.
Teacher shortages: Florida is one of eight states to see an increase in its student to teacher ratio following the COVID pandemic, K-12 Dive reports.
From the police blotter … Five students from Pinellas County’s Azalea Middle School were injured in a school bus accident.
Don’t miss a story. Yesterday’s roundup is just a click away.
Before you go … RIP, Quincy Jones.