The big story: Amid state and federal calls for an end to diversity, equity and inclusion programs in education, Florida’s colleges and universities have been much more visible than K-12 districts in their efforts to comply.
Many district leaders have said they follow state laws on the subject, so there’s little left to be done.
The Palm Beach County school district doesn’t want to take any chances. With about $300 million in federal funds on the line, officials have proposed a set of emergency policies that would eliminate vestiges of diversity, equity and inclusion in their official rules.
If approved, among other changes, the district no longer would track contracts awarded to businesses owned by women and minorities, and would no longer require consideration of diversity in demographics when hiring.
“The potential loss of approximately $300 million in federal funding would have an immediate and detrimental impact to the school district’s budget and its ability to support student education, operate schools, pay employee salaries, and maintain essential services,” district staff wrote in statement explaining the proposed action.
Watch for more districts to follow. Read more from the Palm Beach Post and WPTV.
Hot topics
Appointees: A former state lawmaker who’s been among Gov. Ron DeSantis’ most ardent defenders was nominated to serve on the Pensacola State College board of trustees. He withdrew and left the country before a confirmation hearing, the Orlando Sentinel reports. • The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee rejected one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees to serve as trustee at the University of West Florida, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.
Budgets: The Lee County school board approved several job description changes as part of a reorganization aimed at saving about $1 million. School nurses say critical services could suffer as a result, the Fort Myers News-Press reports. • Polk County teachers and public education advocates continue to warn against proposed funding cuts to advanced and career courses, the Ledger reports.
Contract talks: Palm Beach County school board noninstructional staff members are protesting the school district’s proposed salary offer, the Palm Beach Post reports.
Crowding: The Brevard County school district is working on plans to accommodate a growing number of students in three Palm Bay schools, Spectrum 13 reports.
Immigration enforcement: Faculty leaders from across the Florida state university system are calling on their schools to withdraw from agreements to cooperate with federal immigration agents. Florida’s participation with ICE is unusual, Vox reports.
Preferred names: Dozens of students called on the Brevard County school board to reinstate a teacher whose contract was not renewed over her use of a student’s preferred name without parental consent, Florida Today reports. Brevard superintendent Mark Rendell defended the dismissal, saying the teacher violated the law, WKMG reports.
School board members: The most conservative member of the Broward County School Board is resigning, the Sun-Sentinel reports. Brenda Fam cited a “toxic environment” in the district, the Miami Herald reports.
Student recruitment: The Orange County school district is considering a plan to pay a consultant to help attract students back to the system, WKMG reports.
University presidents: Florida A&M University’s presidential search committee advanced four finalists to the school’s trustees for further consideration, WCTV reports.
From the police blotter … A Leon County high school student was arrested on accusations of battery on a school official by slapping, shoving and punching a teacher, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. • A Collier County high school student was arrested on accusations of having a knife in his car at school, Gulf Coast News reports. • A Hillsborough County middle school student was arrested on allegations of bringing a knife to school, WFTS reports.
From the court docket … A former policy and compliance officer for the Citrus County school district has threatened to sue the district on accusations of wrongful termination, the Citrus County Chronicle reports.
Today in Tallahassee … The Senate is scheduled convene at 10 a.m. Bills available on special order include SB 650 on hazardous walking conditions, SB 508 on vouchers, SB 1702 on education (train bill), and SB 1624 on higher education. • The House is scheduled to convene at 10 a.m. Bills available for consideration include HB 1267 on education (train bill), HB 1255 on education (train bill), HB 1115 on school taxes, HB 875 on teacher preparation, HB 1009 on religious expression in schools, HB 151 on interscholastic activities, HB 248 on extracurricular sports, and HB 969 on student mental health.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Before you go … What are those otters up to these days?