The big story: For those of you who weren’t glued to The Florida Channel, the Legislature ran until nearly 10 p.m. Friday before calling it a session on all policy-related matters.
The chambers went round and round on several education train bills that members filled and stripped and revised throughout the day, with three of the four (HB 875, HB 1105 and HB 1255) making it to the finish line with at least some of their proposals intact.
Lawmakers approved increased cellphone use restrictions in schools, for instance, but left out proposed changes to high school graduation requirements. They revised teacher training expectations but didn’t add more transparency to university president searches.
Anything left on the table after Friday evening was declared dead, with the exception of language relating to the budgets that have yet to be settled. Issues that remain include the funding of advanced and technical programs, and proposed changes to the voucher funding model. Read more here.
Leaders for the two chambers said they have worked out a budget framework and will return to Tallahassee the week of May 12 to hash out the specifics, News Service of Florida reports.
Hot topics
College leadership: The University of Florida’s president search committee announced a sole finalist for the post. Interim president Kent Fuchs called the nominee a “dream candidate.” • The president of Pasco-Hernando State College abruptly resigned amid threats to remove him. • Bethune-Cookman University named three finalists for its president job, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.
College loans: Today’s the day the federal government will resume collecting student loans that are more than 270 days past due.
Federal funding: Florida school districts are assessing how they might be affected if federal funding is reduced, WUSF reports. More from Axios.
Hurricane aftermath: Plans to reopen Fort Myers Beach Elementary, which was damaged by hurricanes Ian and Milton, have been further delayed, WINK reports. Parents aren’t happy.
Merger plans: Discussions to merge New College, the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and the Ringling Museum appear dead, with almost no community support, Florida Politics reports.
New schools: The city of DeBary sent a letter to the Volusia County school district warning against taking any steps toward placing a new school on a lot the city does not support, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.
Student cellphone use: As Broward County schools move away from student cellphone use, they’re giving children laptops to use for their course work, the Sun-Sentinel reports. • State lawmakers want elementary and middle school students to keep their phones off and out of sight during the school day, News Service of Florida reports. Many districts already have such rules in place, though they give teachers authority to allow students to use phones for classroom lessons. The measure is headed to the governor for consideration.
Superintendents: Marion County’s incoming interim superintendent has picked her top deputy, the Ocala Star-Banner reports. • The Hernando County school board gave interim superintendent Ray Pinder a strong evaluation ahead of considering him for the permanent position, Hernando Sun reports.
Taxes: A House committee began discussing possible changes to Florida’s property tax system, which undergirds public education, Florida Politics reports. Several of the proposals focused on reducing non-school property taxes.
From the police blotter … A Miami-Dade County high school teacher was arrested on allegations of having sex with a student in a classroom, the Miami Herald reports. • A Pinellas County charter school teacher was arrested on accusations of trying to send an obscene image to a minor, WFLA reports.
From the court docket … New College officials appear headed to court in a lawsuit alleging that they illegally withheld public records regarding their rise to control the school, Florida Bulldog reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to Friday’s roundup.
Before you go … Today is Cinco de Mayo. No, it’s not Mexican Independence Day.