The big story: Florida schools have led the national charge to curtail student cellphone use in schools.
Several have told students to keep their devices off and out of sight during classes, unless specifically allowed by teachers. Some kids can take them out during passing periods and lunch time. Others have to wait until the final bell rings.
As expected, many students have complained. In Broward County, parents have, too. What’s their concern? Read more from Associated Press.
Some parents also are upset about a Palm Beach County middle school’s approach to preventing cellphone use, WPTV reports. Students are to place their phones in a locked magnetic pouch when they arrive on campus.
Hot topics
Budget cuts: Even after closing schools, Duval County district officials are projecting a $100 million budget shortfall, Jacksonville Today reports. School board members are asking for options to make up the difference.
Career education: Students from three Pasco County schools are learning about robotics in the operating room.
Charter schools: A growing charter school in Polk County has been working with local government on plans to improve the roads outside the campus as it expands enrollment, Lakeland Now reports.
College presidents: Former state representative Mel Ponder will become the next president of Northwest Florida State College, Inside Higher Ed reports.
Hurricane recovery: Students might be able to return to Lee County’s hurricane-battered Sanibel School next week, WINK reports.
Sex education: Polk County schools have not taught sex education since 2023 while awaiting state approval of their curriculum, the Ledger reports. Courses are set to resume in December at the earliest.
Teacher shortages: Lee County’s new superintendent set filling the district’s teacher vacancies as her top priority, the Fort Myers News-Press reports.
Union dues: A federal judge backed two Florida teacher unions’ challenge to a 2023 state law that forbids school districts from deducting union dues from employee paychecks, News Service of Florida reports.
From the police blotter … A Santa Rosa County school district administrator has been placed on leave and faces a law enforcement investigation over allegations that she had been stealing from her employer for at least two years, the Pensacola News-Journal reports. • A Hillsborough County high school student was arrested on allegations of bringing an unloaded gun to school, WFLA reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Before you go … Thanksgiving is coming! Are you ready to make your pumpkin pie?