The big story: For more than a generation of students, active shooter drills have been a way of life in schools.
They’re a critical way to ensure students and staff know what to do in the event of life threatening events.
But research shows they’ve also sparked an increase in anxiety and stress. Florida students and parents are feeling it.
“Tell the kids goodbye in the morning, and like, hey have a great day, love you, but you really don’t know what they’re going into that day,” Tampa parent Brandon Jones told Bay News 9. Read more here.
K-12 hot topics
Cellphones: A Dixie County middle-high school is the latest to ban student cellphone use during the school day, WCJB reports.
Charter schools: A Miami-Dade County charter school is seeking to expand into a neighboring park, taking over some playing fields, the Miami Herald reports.
Political activity: The Broward County school district is looking into the performance of a high school band at a rally featuring Second Gentleman Dough Emhoff in violation of district policy, Florida’s Voice reports.
School closures: Duval County school district officials will hold a final round of hearings over a proposal to shutter six schools, the Florida Times-Union reports.
Sex education: Alachua County residents are debating the best way to provide children lessons about sex beyond what schools offer, the Independent Florida Alligator reports.
Student discipline: An audit indicated that 15 Broward County schools were not properly recording student discipline incidents, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
Tax referendums: Manatee County schools would lose a $75 million annual revenue stream that helps pay competitive teacher salaries if voters do not renew the district’s local-option property tax, the Observer reports. Manatee is one of five districts in the greater Tampa Bay area to seek support for a property tax referendum, WUSF reports.
Teacher discipline: A Bay County teacher who’s also a former Lynn Haven commissioner will keep his job with certain conditions after facing a loss of certification over lying on a bank loan application, WMBB reports.
Vouchers: School districts in Florida’s Panhandle have seen dramatic increases in the numbers of students accepting taxpayer-funded school vouchers, WEAR reports.
From the police blotter … A Brevard County high school cafeteria worker was arrested on allegations of sending inappropriate photos to a minor student, Space Coast News reports.
In higher ed
College costs: Tampa Bay area college students say inflation is hitting them hard, and their concerns about the economy are growing, WUSF reports.
New College: Changes to New College’s core curriculum have prompted some faculty members to cry foul, placing blame on state politicians and the school’s administration, Inside Higher Ed reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Before you go … Dwight Yoakam has a new album coming out soon. Here’s his latest with Post Malone.