The big story: Three years ago, Florida lawmakers set 12-year term limits for school board members.
A year later, they sliced the length to eight years.
This year, the press is on to commemorate in the state constitution the rule the Legislature implemented through law. The proposal would extend the limits to county commissioners, too.
The measure (SJR 802) moved through its first Senate committee despite some discontent among some of the majority Republican members who wanted to have 12-year limits. They suggested the ongoing need for institutional knowledge.
Sponsor Sen. Blaise Ingoglia argued that voters want eight years, adding, “All we’re saying is put it on the ballot.”
The identical House version has been referred to three committees. Read more from Florida Politics.
Hot topics
Attendance zones: The Hernando County school board plans to restart discussions to create an attendance zone for a magnet high school, Suncoast News reports. The board also voted to expand two crowded schools after debating the cost, Suncoast News reports.
Book challenges: Three Florida parents have appealed a decision to throw out their lawsuit challenging the state’s school book review process, News Service of Florida reports.
Civil rights investigations: University of South Florida officials said school will cooperate with a federal investigation into a fellowship program that has been alleged to discriminate by race, WUSF reports. They said the program has been in place for years and is permitted under state law.
Property taxes: University of Miami education professor Bruce Baker, a national expert on school funding, says moves to end Florida’s property tax system could “completely dismantle” public education in the state, WPTV reports.
School zones: The city of Palatka is preparing to add cameras to school zones to catch speeders, Jacksonville Today reports.
Testing: State senators have proposed eliminating Florida’s high school graduation testing requirements, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
From the police blotter … Two Broward County teens were arrested on allegations of threatening and then attacking a teacher, WPLG reports.
Today in Tallahassee … The House Higher Education Budget Subcommittee will consider one bill and hear two presentations when it meets at 9 a.m. • The House PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee will discuss language on vouchers and the state funding program when it meets at 9 a.m. • The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education will consider one bill and several trustee appointments when it meets at 1 p.m. • The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will consider SB 1692 on school materials that is “harmful to minors” when it meets at 3:30 p.m. • The House Student Academic Success subcommittee will take up six bills including HB 1113 on math instruction and HB 1309 on reading instruction when it meets at 3 p.m.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Before you go … For some reason, Bohemian Rhapsody just works on the world’s largest pipe organ.