Educational outlook: Next week’s Senate Education Committee agenda could foreshadow the education priorities for the legislative session that opens Jan. 14. The committee will discuss a repeal of the Best and Brightest educator bonuses program to pave the way for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan, the creation of a “do not hire” database of educators who have had trouble with districts or the law, a bill that would exempt English language learners from the 10th-grade Florida language arts exam, and a bill that would change the high school state grading formula to include the percentage of students eligible to earn credits for career dual enrollment courses…

Security in schools: Every Florida school district with a police department would be required to hire a police chief under a bill proposed by state Rep. Kimberly Daniels, D-Jacksonville. At least 14 of the state’s 67 school districts have police forces, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The bill would require districts to give chiefs contracts of at least three years, but does not specify who is responsible for paying…

Superintendent search: The person widely expected to be chosen as the interim superintendent of the Sarasota County School District has withdrawn his name from consideration. Bill Vogel said after speaking to school board members and acting superintendent Mitsi Corcoran, he concluded that the interim leader should be someone already known within the community…