Big story: In an effort to help more high school graduates pursue higher education, state and national officials have worked to make it easier to apply for and receive financial aid.
The effort appears to have backfired in Florida.
Applications for aid have plummeted after years of growth as problems with the latest version of the FAFSA became widely known. This is likely to prevent many low-income residents from obtaining a degree.
“There is no greater barrier than the ability to pay,” said Braulio Colon of the Florida College Access Network. “For these families, nothing is more important than filling out this form.” Learn more.
hot topic
Display flag: The Osceola County Board of Education has rejected a move to ban all political flags, badges and stickers from classrooms and schools, except for the U.S. and Florida flags, WOFL reports.
Registration: According to a report from WJXT, Duval County School District officials are considering closing schools as enrollment declines due to the impact of charter schools.
Lunch line: WTXL reports that Jefferson County School District officials are stepping in to take over a school cafeteria worker after employees walked off the job in support of a cafeteria manager who was fired after he was accused of stealing $27. .
Religious holidays: School districts in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties will not hold classes on Wednesday in observance of Eid al-Fitr, the Palm Beach Post reported. This is the first time that each district has been closed on a public holiday. More details from the Miami Herald.
Search for students: The Volusia County School Board is close to implementing a new policy that would allow random metal detector tests of students, WKMG reports.
Transportation facilities: The University of Florida has proposed cutting the percentage of funding for bus service, Main Street Daily News reported. If the change takes effect, it could lead to fewer routes.
From court records… A Leon County judge has denied a motion by Florida State University to stay a lawsuit against the Atlantic Coast Conference while the Atlantic Coast Conference sues the North Carolina university. • A federal judge has blocked Florida officials from enforcing a state law that prohibits teachers from using their chosen pronouns and titles while in school, the News Service of Florida reported. The judge said the law violated First Amendment rights. The ruling applies only to the Hillsborough County teacher who filed the lawsuit.
leadership news
University leadership: Broward University has begun a search for a new president after the school's interim leader suddenly resigned, WLRN reported. Candidates have approximately one month to apply.
ethics: The Florida Ethics Commission has dismissed a misconduct complaint filed against the Alachua County School Board, the Gainesville Sun reported.
Board of Education elections: Incumbent Flagler County School Board member Cheryl Massaro has withdrawn her bid for re-election, Flagler Live reports.
Supervisor: Hernando County Superintendent John Stratton has announced he will retire at the end of the school year, Suncoast News reports. Mr. Stratton faces opposition from two members of the board, and a majority could go against Mr. Stratton in future elections. • The Lee County Board of Education once again appointed veteran leader Ken Savage as interim superintendent, WGCU reported. Voters will choose the next superintendent in November. • The superintendent of the Lake Wales Charter School District is under investigation after three employees filed complaints against him, the Ledger reported.
Don't miss the story. This is a link to yesterday's summary.
Before you go… Have you played the William Shakespeare or Taylor Swift game yet? Can you do better than this Wesleyan English professor?
