Florida Republicans advanced a House bill that would restrict discussion on topics like racism and slavery in public school classrooms.

Florida Republicans advanced a House bill that would restrict discussion on topics like racism and slavery in public school classrooms.
With all eyes on the University of Florida’s struggles with academic freedom, Janet and Shelley host guests, Ray Arsenault president of the Pinellas County Chapter of the ACLU of Florida; Tim Boaz, Faculty Senate President at University of South Florida and Andrew Gothard, president of United Faculty of Florida.
Hillsborough County School Board narrows down redistricting plans from six to three, a final vote is expected Thursday.
The Florida Board of Education will meet to determine if 11 school districts have complied with rules forbidding student mask mandates.
USF launched an electronic survey that will hopefully reveal valuable input about qualities members of the community want in next president
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources Leon County Judge John Cooper again Wednesday used Governor Ron DeSantis’s own arguments to rule against him on mask mandates. Cooper set aside a stay to his original ruling, meaning the State can no longer punish school districts for implementing mask mandates. LISTEN: In the initial judgment,… Read more »
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources Parents with opposing views on mask mandates clashed at a Pasco County School Board meeting today. Pro-mask parents honked horns and rallied in cars, prompting faculty to turn up the volume inside. LISTEN: Nearly 20 cars circled the parking lot just off Land O’Lakes Boulevard. School board… Read more »
WMNF spoke with a lawyer who represented parents who defeated Florida’s governor in court in a fight over mask mandates in schools.
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources The state of Florida cannot punish school districts for implementing mask mandates with medical opt-outs. That’s the ruling handed down Friday by a Leon County judge. Gov. Ron DeSantis’s evidence for banning mandates wound up losing the case for him. LISTEN: The ruling means schools can continue… Read more »
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources Masks will remain optional in Pinellas County Schools. The Pinellas School Board Tuesday voted against holding a special meeting to discuss instituting a mask mandate. LISTEN: School board member Caprice Edmond motioned to call the special meeting. “I am asking the board to take a vote today… Read more »
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources The Hillsborough County School Board Wednesday voted to institute a 30-day mandatory mask policy. Board members voted 5-2 to institute the temporary mandate with an option for parents to opt-out, but only with a letter from a doctor. The rule goes into effect Thursday. LISTEN: Board members… Read more »
The Florida Education Association teachers’ union is warning that there are nearly 5,000 teaching vacancies in the state.
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources Parents and doctors rallied outside Pinellas County School’s district office today (Monday) to plead for mask mandates in schools. The call comes after the Friday release of new rules for mitigating COVID-19 in school sent mixed signals to parents and educators alike. Listen: Seventh-grader Liam Oliver wants… Read more »
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources The Florida Department of Health released new rules for COVID-19 mitigation in schools Friday. The rules say school districts can mandate mask-wearing if they offer an opt-out program. The rules were announced exactly one week after Gov. Ron DeSantis threatened to withhold money from districts mandating masks…. Read more »
In the midst of a Covid surge among young people, Gov. Ron DeSantis banned mask mandates in schools, threatening to withhold crucial funding from school districts whose boards defy him. Hillsborough County School Board member Jessica Vaughn talks about the latest move by state lawmakers to block local officials from governing the communities that elected them.
Florida lawmakers introduced more than 3,000 bills in the 2021 legislative sessions, with about 8 percent of them being signed into law. Among them were bills with robust support from both Republican and Democrats. These include everything from making improvements to early education to protecting the environment and putting restrictions on telephone solicitations. State Rep…. Read more »
Hillsborough County School Board member Jessica Vaughn speaks about local control pressure from the state of Florida. Plus we hear a St. Pete City Council District 8 candidate forum.
A school advocacy group is calling for more action after it found a teacher at a Tampa elementary school hit a student with a desk and the principal tried to cover it up. The group Teaching for the Culture is calling for more oversight and accountability in the District’s Office of Professional Standards. LISTEN: Bianca… Read more »
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last month signed into law a bill that would require state universities to conduct an annual assessment of “viewpoint diversity” by surveying students and faculty. Ray Arusenault, emeritus professor of American history and civil rights at USF St. Pete and chair of the Pinellas Chapter of the ACLU, calls that bill… Read more »
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a controversial bill banning transgender girls from Florida school sports into law Tuesday, the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month. Protests and promises of legal challenges swiftly followed the signing. LISTEN: The section of SB 1028 banning trans girls from sports was added to the bill at the last possible moment… Read more »