The big story: At the same time the Nassau County school district was agreeing to return dozens of books to its library shelves, the Pasco County government was removing some of the same books from its public library system.
After having a book about a transgender youth brought to his attention, commissioner Seth Weightman asked county staff to identify any books with similar content in the system and review its appropriateness for children. He referred to Florida laws relating to school book challenges and instruction about gender — laws the state has said do not apply to books that are not required reading.
The county “suppressed” 130 titles as a result of the audit, which relied on the Florida Department of Education challenge list and a separate search for keywords such as “LGBTQ.”
Commissioners were ready to yank the books off the shelves permanently until getting a caution from their lawyer. The activity has now grabbed the public’s attention, including at least one of the authors whose book was targeted as “disturbing.” Read more here.
Hot topics
Vouchers: Florida Democrats are calling on the state to release more information about the costs and scope of the state’s growing school voucher program, Florida Phoenix reports.
Superintendents: Sarasota County superintendent Terry Connor has brought new direction, and a sense of calm, to the school district that was roiled by partisan politics a year ago, the Herald-Tribune reports. • The Charlotte County school board gave superintendent Mark Vianello praise and a raise, the Daily Sun reports.
Grade configurations: A pilot program adding sixth grade to two Escambia County elementary schools has gone so well that district officials are considering expanding the model to all elementary schools, with an eye toward possibly creating K-8 schools around the county, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.
Electric buses: The Dixie County school district is transitioning to an all electric bus fleet with the help of a federal grant, WUFT reports.
Driver education: Improvements to the Miami-Dade County school district’s driver education program, including added adaptations for students with disabilities, has made it possible for more students to gain a license, the Miami Herald reports.
Book donations: The donation to a Polk County charter school system of thousands of books containing an abortion-related essay by an evangelist Christian organization has raised questions about how the system vets books before they get to children, the Ledger reports.
After-school programs: About one-third of Palm Beach County schools with after-care programs have waiting lists as they struggle to find enough staff, the Palm Beach Post reports.
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Catch up on top stories before rush hour
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From the court docket … A Manatee County family is suing the school district, contending three former employees tied their child to a chair, the Bradenton Herald reports.
School security
School threats: Stop them, or face the consequences. That’s the message from Hillsborough’s state attorney office, Bay News 9 reports, as well as the Volusia County sheriff, WPLG reports. There’s been a wave of threats since the recent school shooting in Georgia, USA Today Florida Network reports. Many Leon County students skipped classes amid the anxiety, even with officials saying the threats were not credible, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.
Metal detectors: One Brevard County high school will begin testing out metal detectors to search for weapons as the district prepares to have the equipment in all high schools by the end of the year, WKMG reports. • A Seminole County parent has started a petition to bring metal detectors to the school district, Spectrum 13 reports.
Guns on campus: Florida prosecutors say not one person has been convicted for brining a gun to school in the past five years, despite dozens of arrests, WKMG reports.
From the police blotter … Two Orange County teenagers were arrested on accusations of bringing a loaded gun to school, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link from Friday’s roundup.
Before you go … This cute pygmy hippo is becoming famous online.