The big story: In an increasingly politicized education world, Florida’s universities and colleges are turning to politicians for leadership more and more.
It’s happened schools big, such as former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse’s spin at the University of Florida, and small, including the recent appointment of former Florida Department of Transportation chief of staff Torey Alston at Broward College.
Trustees at two more Florida schools currently have their eyes on former lawmakers to run their campuses.
Florida Atlantic University has former House Republican majority leader Adam Hasner in the mix in its presidential search, the Sun-Sentinel reports. And Florida International University is expected to appoint Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez as interim president as early as today, raising questions of who might replace her in the Governor’s Office, the Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau reports.
The role of politicians running schools is of course nothing new.
Over the years we’ve seen several examples, prominently including Sen. John Thrasher’s turn at Florida State and education commissioner and senator Betty Castor’s time at the University of South Florida. And then there’s Gov. Ron DeSantis’ efforts at New College and the University of West Florida to infuse the trustee ranks with highly partisan appointees.
Whether it’s the right way to go remains the subject of discussion. Read more here.
Hot topics
Year-round education: A Marion County elementary school says its trial run of a year-round calendar is yielding improved student performance, WKMG reports.
Vouchers: Two Democratic lawmakers filed legislation to require that private schools inform voucher recipients whether the schools will honor individualized education plans for special needs, Florida Phoenix reports.
Tuition: State Sen. Randy Fine said Florida’s program providing in-state tuition to certain undocumented immigrant students costs the state $41 million. That’s not quite right, PolitiFact Florida reports.
Immigration enforcement: Teacher union leaders in Broward and Miami-Dade counties aimed to reassure families that no federal immigration enforcement “raids” have taken place in their local schools, WPLG reports. More from WLRN.
Diversity: Dozens of University of Miami students have signed a petition urging the school to maintain its diversity programs despite directives from the Trump Administration, WLRN reports.
Bus safety: Some Hillsborough County drivers found no venue to appeal citations issued after accused with school bus camera footage of passing stopped buses, WFTS reports.
Budget review: The Florida House will convene four workgroups to take closer looks at Gov. Ron DeSantis’ budget vetoes with an eye toward possibly overturning ones it disagrees with, Florida Politics reports.
At the movies: Florida State University purchased a shuttered movie theater and is renovating it to expand the university’s College of Motion Picture Arts, WFSU reports.
Academic achievement: The Walton County school district is one of just two in Florida not to see its student test scores decline over the past two decades, Mid Bay News reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Before you go … What are those lions doing up in the trees?