The big story: Florida law enforcement frequently reminds students that making false threats against a school is no joke.
Children can face criminal charges for such actions.
The State Board of Education wants to go even further. At a meeting Wednesday, the board approved changes to its school security rules that require schools provide training to parents about reporting threats.
“Parents need to understand that all threats will be taken seriously and will result in severe consequences, including for parents,” Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. said. Read more from News Service of Florida.
In other State Board action … Daniel Foganholi took his seat three months after losing a Broward County school board bid, Florida Phoenix reports. • The board approved turnaround plans for several schools including Apalachee Elementary in Leon County (Tallahassee Democrat) and Rawlings Elementary in Gainesville (WUFT). • The board approved use of a classical education course developed by the University of Florida as a way for state college students to meet their civics graduation requirement, Politico Florida reports.
Hot topics
Charter schools: Plans to open a new charter high school in Pasco County grew shaky as school board members wavered on a deal to sell a district site to the charter operator. • A Polk County charter school serving a rural agricultural community will be able to move toward permanent buildings with the help of a $350,000 grant, the Ledger reports.
Coaches’ pay: A state lawmaker is floating the idea of using revenue from sports betting to increase the pay of high school sports coaches, WJXT reports.
College presidents: Northwest Florida State College made official its appointment of former state lawmaker Mel Ponder as its next president, Northwest Florida Daily News reports.
Driver education: An Okeechobee County high school is pondering how long it will continue offering driver education amid changes to the program, Lake Okeechobee News reports.
Legislative committees: A day after recommitting to education deregulation, state Senate President Ben Albritton named the two senators who led the charge in 2024 to chair the chamber’s education committees. Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, will be chairperson of the PreK-12 Committee with Sen. Alexis Catalayud, R-Miami, as vice chair. The two will swap titles for the Education Postsecondary Committee. Albritton also announced vice chairs for the appropriation subcommittees. Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando, will have that role for PreK-12 appropriations, and Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, will have it for Higher Education appropriations.
Reading lessons: Some Palm Beach County education advocates are seeking answers to why nearly half of students are not reading at grade level, WPTV reports.
ROTC: The Lee County school district is changing its ROTC rules after two dozen cadets were treated for heat exhaustion at a mandatory Veterans Day event, WINK reports.
School board meetings: The Sarasota County school board decided to meet once monthly in 2025 instead of twice, despite public opposition, the Charlotte Sun reports.
From the police blotter … A Putnam County high school teacher was arrested on accusations of soliciting lewd conduct from a student, WJXT reports.
From the court docket … A former Florida Virtual School employee has sued the school, claiming she was fired improperly after raising concerns about FLVS donations to a religious organization, Florida Politics reports. • Lawyers for the Volusia County school district responded to a lawsuit challenging its right to remove library books by saying the district was following state law, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.
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