Magnet schools: The Palm Beach County School Board wants to open an arts magnet at the middle and high school level. Palm Beach Post.
Charter schools: Health officials confirm that an illness affecting students at a Palm Beach County charter school was Norovirus. Palm Beach Post.
Common Core: The debate over the Common Core academic standards is shifting from Da Vinci Code fiction to facts, writes Beth Kassab of the Orlando Sentinel. In addition to pressing lawmakers to stick with Common Core, Pasco district officials recommend creating a transitional accountability plan as the state moves from one set of standards and tests to another. Tampa Bay Times.
StudentsFirst: The education reform group expands into Florida with a new state press secretary – Lane Wright, Gov. Rick Scott’s former spokesperson. The Buzz.
Teacher pay: The Palm Beach County School District and the local teachers union remain far apart on just how much more money the district should spend on teacher raises. Palm Beach Post. The Miami-Dade School Board approves a one-year deal with the United Teachers of Dade to provide raises of at least $1,300 for most the district’s 21,000-plus teachers. Miami Herald.
School spending: The Palm Beach County School Board reimburses one of its members $13,424.50 in legal fees rung up in defending herself against state ethics complaints last year. Palm Beach Post. More from the Sun Sentinel.
Education budget: The State Board of Education is advancing a budget for 2014-15 with a more modest $387 million increase. The Ledger.
Data leader: Orange County schools superintendent Barbara Jenkins wins a statewide award for the best use of data to increase student performance. Orlando Sentinel.
Cell towers: Sprint declines parents’ request to move a cell phone tower from a Collier County elementary school’s campus. Naples Daily News.
Superintendents: Lee County’s Nancy Graham scores high marks from school board members. Fort Myers News-Press.
