The big story: Air quality in schools has grabbed more attention in recent months, particularly among campuses swamped by hurricanes Debby, Helene or Milton.
Jitters over concerns about mold and mildew after the storms heightened the awareness for families and faculty. That recognition impacted one Pinellas County school that had a separate situation — a teacher passed away in November from illness linked to Legionnaire’s disease.
People wanted to know whether their school might also have problems with its air handling systems. The district began working with the Department of Health to find out.
All classes have been moved out of the building in question until the answers are clear. Read more here.
Hot topics
Book challenges: The Hernando County school board is set to consider the fate of three challenged books when it convenes Tuesday, Suncoast News reports.
Choice: Some Duval County parents are complaining that a highly sought after elementary school is cutting staff at the same time it is saying there is no room for more students, WJAX reports. Duval superintendent Christopher Bernier is hosting town hall sessions to hear parent views as he prepares to make new budget recommendations, the Florida Times-Union reports.
Classroom technology: Florida A&M and Florida State universities are devising guidelines for the appropriate student use of artificial intelligence in classes, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.
Contract talks: Leon County teacher contract negotiations are headed to a special magistrate after the sides failed to reach a deal on salaries, WTXL reports. • Negotiators for the Palm Beach County school district and teachers union expressed hope they can reach agreement over health insurance benefits when they return to the table Monday, WPTV reports.
Iguana invasion: The Palm Beach County school district shut down a high school’s swimming pool as it could not keep up with maintenance needs caused by a growing iguana mess, the Palm Beach Post reports.
Science lessons: About 140 Escambia County high school students are participating in a new program focused on the construction of artificial reefs, aimed at restoring the nearby marine environment, the Pensacola News Journal reports.
Special education: Hillsborough County schools will begin allowing private therapists into classrooms to help students with special needs, Bay News 9 reports. Parents had advocated for the change more than a year.
Teacher discipline: A Broward County teacher faces suspension over accusations of poking a student with a thumbtack, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
From the police blotter … A University of Florida technology worker was arrested on allegations of selling about $50,000 worth of university equipment for personal gain, WCJB reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to Friday’s roundup.
Before you go … The Daily Show visited Florida to talk to its most prolific school book ban advocate, Clay County’s Bruce Friedman. Here’s the show’s take.