The big story: As voters across Florida cast early ballots in advance of Election Day, they have the opportunity to decide whether to change the state constitution to allow for partisan school board elections, as News Service of Florida reports.
Some say the change would allow for greater transparency in what candidates stand for. Others, including a statewide student group, contend that it would inject too much politics into an already divided area where the main objective should be serving children, as WLRN reports.
They suggest that voters should look at candidates’ qualifications and priorities, and not make decisions based solely on party affiliation. Vox explored Florida’s Amendment 1 and the role of politics in education on its latest Today, Explained podcast. Take a listen.
A similar debate is playing out in Pasco County’s schools superintendent race, which already is a partisan election. One of the candidates is running without party affiliation against a well-funded Republican, hoping for an upset. His backers are starting to believe it could happen. Read more here.
In Flagler County, a candidate endorsed by Gov. Ron DeSantis lost his primary bid to serve on the school board. Now DeSantis has appointed him to complete the term of a board member who resigned too late for an election to select her replacement, Ask Flagler reports.
Hot topics
Affordable housing: The Monroe County school board continues to work through details for providing housing that its employees can afford, the Key West Citizen reports.
Cost cutting: The Hillsborough County school district is looking to save money on its health insurance expenses by self insuring, WUSF reports.
‘Intellectual freedom’ survey: The State University System’s annual survey indicated students and staff feel they have more freedom of speech than offered at other schools across the nation, Politico Florida reports. About 14% of students and 12% of staff participated. More from Florida Phoenix.
NIL: The Board of Governors wants more details on how a recent settlement that involves compensation for student-athletes will impact the future of college sports in Florida, News Service of Florida reports.
Special education: Some St. Johns County parents say their children with special needs are not treated equitably in school despite the district’s efforts to decrease its use of restraints on students who are acting up, Jacksonville Today reports.
School choice: Palm Beach County schools have added ten new specialty programs in advance of the choice application window, the Palm Beach Post reports.
Teacher pay: The Collier County school district boosted its minimum teacher pay to $57,000 a year, second highest in Florida, WBBH reports.
From the police blotter … An Osceola County high school student was arrested on allegations of making threats of violence against a school, WKMG reports. • Law enforcement investigated calls that an Indian River County middle school student had brought a weapon to school. It turned out to be an unloaded plastic BB gun, TC Palm reports.
From the court docket … A former Port St. Lucie assistant police chief avoided jail time with a plea deal in a case described as a scheme to falsify records to allow high school football players to participate on Martin County teams they were not zoned for, WPTV reports.
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Before you go … Are you ready for the Great Pumpkin?
