The big story: Since 2018, Florida law has made threatening violence against schools a criminal offense.
The state has long had a zero-tolerance policy regarding weapons on campus.
With a wave of threats happening this fall, the Orange County School District wants to make sure there are no misunderstandings. That is why an online course on threats and weapons has been created for parents and students. The course is administered by the Florida Department of Education.
“As a result of the training, parents should understand that all threats will be taken seriously and will result in serious consequences, up to and including arrest, restitution and expulsion,” wrote Education Commissioner Manny Diaz. Read more from WKMG.
Popular topics
Trump’s education agenda: Observers expect President-elect Donald Trump to base his education agenda on Florida’s system.
Superintendants: Newly elected Pasco Superintendent John Legg sends out a message announcing his choice for his second-in-command.
Scholarships: Outgoing Orange County elections supervisor Glen Gilzean caused a stir by using $2.1 million from his office funds to establish a new scholarship in his name, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Faculty Recruitment: New College employees complain that the school’s recent hirings have focused more on administrative ideology and fiat than on academic qualifications, The Guardian reports.
Elections: School board candidates who won seats after receiving Gov. Ron DeSantis’ endorsement called his support invaluable, Florida Politics reports.
Bus safety: A Miami-Dade County resident is contesting a ticket he received based on a video captured by a school bus camera, WFOR reports. The question is whether the bus was completely stationary when it passed, the recently introduced law seems to require.
Book bans: The Florida Department of Education has released a list of more than 700 books removed from schools following public challenges in 2023-2024, WMFE reports. This number increased last year.
Attendance zones: More than 600 Palm Beach County students will be transferred to a new school aimed at reducing crowding at Wellington-area schools. Officials are still trying to decide which, the Palm Beach Post reports.
From the police magazine… A Flagler County high school employee was arrested on charges of hitting a student with a disability, WPEC reports. The arrest has led to calls for cameras in special education classrooms, WTVT reports.
From the court docket… A Palm Beach County teacher is accused in a federal lawsuit of sexually assaulting a fourth-grade student, WPBF reports. No criminal charges have been filed.
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Before you go… How many times a day do you say okay? Do you know where the word comes from?
