The big story: Ready or not, students across the Tampa Bay region and Florida start returning to classes on Monday.

Many teachers headed back a week or so ago, preparing their classrooms and getting updates on the latest rules, initiatives and approaches they’ll implement in the new academic year. Bus drivers have been out practicing their routes, while safety officers have put in place the latest security measures.

As for parents, they’ve had the opportunity the past several days to get their back to school supplies tax-free, as part of Florida’s annual tax holiday intended to make it more affordable to get things like fresh outfits, new electronics and basics such as folders and pencils. The tax hiatus runs through Sunday.

But do such events make a real financial difference for families, or are they simply gimmicks politicians can use to claim they lowered taxes? It depends on which experts you ask. Read more here.

Hot topics

Taxes: Monroe County voters will decide the fate of the school district’s local-option property and sales taxes in November, Keys Weekly reports.

School board elections: Republicans and Democrats are looking to August school board races as an indicator of how November might look, despite board elections being nonpartisan, News Service of Florida reports. • The primary is 11 days away. Check out the Tampa Bay Times’ voter guide to learn about Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas candidates before casting your ballot.

Salaries: Teachers in Florida’s Treasure Coast are finding it more difficult to afford living the communities where they work, WPTV reports.

Safety: Four north Florida school districts are partnering with the local prosecutor’s office to curb youth violence and substance abuse, Jacksonville Today reports. • Miami-Dade County schools aren’t keen on walkthrough metal detectors, despite the interest of neighboring districts, WTVJ reports.

New schools: After two years in portables, students at an Alachua County middle school will get to take classes in a newly rebuilt school, the Gainesville Sun reports.

Enrollment: Volusia County schools are experiencing an enrollment downturn, making it more difficult for budgeting, Hometown News Volusia reports.

Cellphones: Lee County schools are looking into how new cellphone restrictions will be enforced, WINK reports.

Book challenges: An Osceola County book store has launched a section focused on books removed from local school library shelves, Spectrum 13 reports.

In higher ed

FAMU: An independent report says the “fraudulent” contribution of $237 million to Florida A&M University was void long ago, Associated Press reports. • FAMU trustees said they hope to have a new president in place by June 2025, WFSU reports.

USF: The USF College of Public Health has a new dean.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.

Before you go … Can you play music as well as an orangutan?