The big story: One week after Hurricane Milton hit, Hillsborough County schools are set to be the final ones in Florida to resume classes.
Hillsborough officials had looked into to reopen sooner, but persistent power outages in some locations kept the district from getting back on track. Students now have missed 11 days because of back to back storms.
Next up: Deciding how to make up the lost instruction. Read more here.
Several other districts that missed fewer days have begun setting their makeup days, report WPTV and WBBH. They also are assessing the damages they sustained. Citrus County’s Marine Science Station faces significant repairs, the Citrus County Chronicle reports.
Hot topics
Audits: Half of Florida’s school districts had material findings of noncompliance in their annual state audits, Center Square reports.
Board elections: A Miami-Dade County school board member seeking reelection has encountered complaints for sending campaign materials to employees using the district email system in violation of board policies, the Miami Herald reports. • Opinions are split over a November ballot initiative to return Florida to partisan school board elections, Florida Today reports.
Contract talks: The Orange County School Board approved a district offered raise over the teacher union’s larger request in a hearing to resolve contract negotiations that had reached an impasse, the WKMG reports.
Homecoming: A Santa Rosa County high school wound up changing its homecoming queen over a dispute over the election results, WKRG reports.
University president searches: Florida A&M University’s effort to find a new president was delayed after the board of trustees did not get a quorum for its Wednesday special meeting, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.
From the police blotter … A Miami-Dade County high school JROTC instructor was arrested and fired on allegations of having an inappropriate relationship with a student, WSVN reports. • The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating “potential financial improprieties” of a Santa Rosa County school district employee, WEAR reports.
From the court docket … Evidence released in advance of a trial of state Rep. Carolina Amnesty shows Central Christian University, operated by Amnesty’s family, submitted forged documents in its efforts to gain accreditation, Florida Politics reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Before you go … Did some of those hurricane images seem too unreal? CBS offers some tips to help determine whether photos have been faked.