Around the state: An old mascot was retired and a new one was chosen at a Hillsborough high school, schools in Lee are reopening after Hurricane Ian, school board races heat up statewide, and school threats occurred in various districts. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state's districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:

Palm Beach: Years after a scandal involving grade changing at Palm Beach Central High School, the principal and his former assistant principal agreed to probation with the state education department. An investigation by the school district's inspector general found that Principal Darren Edgecomb and then-Assistant Principal Laurence Greenberg raised the grades of at least 11 students — without the knowledge of their teachers.

Hillsborough: The Hillsborough School Board voted on Tuesday to retire the Chiefs mascot at Chamberlain High in a 5-1 vote after students earlier this month chose the "Storm" to replace it, ending a public debate over racial stereotypes and community traditions. Fox 13. ABC Action News. Tampa Bay Times. If you're researching charter schools, information that includes test scores, discipline, complaints and other factors has been included in an interactive table. Hillsborough has a larger percentage of charter schools than the average Florida school system. Tampa Bay Times. Over the past five years in the county, enrollment in charters rose by more than 15,000 students while district-run schools lost more than 7,500. Hillsborough is seeing the result of a shift that began more than two decades ago in Florida. Tampa Bay Times.

Orange: The new superintendent for the public schools here, Dr. Maria Vazquez, held a town hall meeting on Monday to hear from parents in the district. Teachers and staff were also able to attend a meeting prior to the meeting with parents. "Sometimes, it's not about getting the information, but it's truly engaging with them and having a true conversation," Vazquez said. WKMG.

Duval: The school board here reviewed refurbished sex education curriculum after pulling materials midyear. The original curriculum that Duval County Public Schools planned to use was rescinded because of concerns they may not meet the requirements of a new state law. Board members discussed the new curriculum on Tuesday and will take a vote on whether to approve the plan during a board meeting in the future. News 4 Jax.

Lee: All 80 PreK-12 schools in this school district will be open in one form or another by Friday, three weeks after Hurricane Ian. The final seven schools were either cleared to open or created an alternative plan to resume classes. Ft. Myers News-Press.

Brevard: Rep. Randy Fine wants to debate Brevard school officials on the need for an increase in property taxes. Fine challenged Superintendent Mark Mullins to a debate as voters in Brevard consider an increase in the local property tax supporting the school district. If the tax is approved on Nov. 8, the revenue would help fund salary increases in the district. Florida Politics.

Volusia: School veterans Jamie Haynes and Al Bouie vie for a District 1 seat, which includes DeLand, DeBary and the southwest portion of the county. The election takes place on Nov. 8. The race is a re-run of the 2018 election where Haynes narrowly beat Bouie to win the seat. The Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Manatee: The Palmetto Police Department responded to a rumored threat at Manatee School for the Arts on Tuesday. A text message spread misinformation about a potential threat to the school, and eventually reached some parents, police said. The rumored threat follows a plethora of swatting calls across high schools nationwide. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Escambia: The school board hosted a string of workshops in preparation for its monthly meeting. In the midst of ongoing controversy about where to draw the line on book restrictions, one school board member suggested giving the superintendent authority to veto book bans. Pensacola News Journal.

Clay: An individual was arrested on Tuesday after a possible threat against Clay High School was posted on social media. After an investigation, the person was arrested for "disrupting a school function and threats against the school." News4Jax.

Charlotte: While schools reopen in southwest Florida, others continue to clean up Hurricane Ian's damage. Peace River Elementary is opening its doors early to help out parents, with donations coming in from all over the country. WINK.

Nassau: Four candidates are competing for two seats in the Nassau County School Board runoffs. Candidates Jamie Deonas, Shannon Hogue, Curtis Gaus and Albert Wagner are putting thousands toward signage to win their spots. Florida Politics. 

Rumored threat: A brief lockdown at Manatee School for the Arts occurred after a rumored threat arose that prompted worry among parents on Tuesday at the charter school. The parent of a sixth grader reported the social media threat, police said. The student responsible may face school discipline but it is unknown whether they will face criminal charges. The Bradenton Herald.

Teacher arrested: A first grade teacher was charged with lewd and lascivious conduct with a student on the heels of a similar investigation. Damian Francis was arrested Monday. The Miami Herald.

Parents and midterms: A majority of parents are more likely to vote in the upcoming midterm elections than they were four years ago, according to a new poll. The 74th.

University and college news: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez teamed up with the Miami Foundation and local universities and technology leaders to fund scholarships for Miami students accepted into a STEM program at one of several south Florida universities. The scholarships are only open to recipients receiving Pell grants, the federal program that provides need-based grants to low income graduates. "If we are to have a technological boom in Miami, everyone has to benefit," said Fishman Lipsy, who began her career as a public school teacher in Harlem.  The Miami Herald. An anonymous tipster who is a Palm Beach State College student filed a tip that led to the arrest of Saul Allain Jean, a fellow student accused of making online posts that threatened to carry out a mass shooting. In a notice to students, college leaders applauded the tipster for helping stop a possible tragedy. Palm Beach Post.

Opinions on schools: Expanding electric vehicle transportation solutions is a good economic and environmental solution for Florida, and voters agree. School buses, which use diesel, would help scale the cost savings and pollution reduction benefits for Floridians. Ali DySard, Tallahassee Democrat.

ORLANDO – Mia Freytas navigates the hallways of Renaissance Charter School at Hunter’s Creek like a rock star, high-fiving teachers, blowing kisses to first-graders who rush up to hug her, and leaning in close to girls who grab her hands and whisper secrets.

Bobbing along the bustling corridors during class change, the bubbly 14-year-old, auburn curls bouncing, hustles so she won’t be late.

These days, it’s important to her to show up on time. (more…)

Three large school districts along Florida's I-4 corridor are angling for grants that could help them draw nationally recognized charter school networks to low-income neighborhoods.

The Orange, Polk and Hillsborough County school districts applied this month for $2.5 million in funding from round two of the Florida Department of Education's district-charter collaboration program.

The three districts are among the ten largest school systems in the Florida, and the top 30 in the country. Their proposals, published here for the first time, describe how they would use chartering to combat persistent academic struggles in high-poverty areas.

The potential collaborations break from the charged politics that often dominate the headlines. They represent an approach to charter schools that's still new for many Florida school districts.

As Polk County schools officials write in their proposal:

The Polk Charter Compact will turn charter school management in Polk from a compliance and coping exercise to purposeful tool for improved student performance in high-need areas where students are not currently receiving adequate educational services.

The department earlier this year awarded grants to Miami-Dade, Duval, and Broward Counties, but Broward's school board rejected the money, creating an opening for other districts to apply.

Three other districts — Palm Beach, Pinellas, and Pasco — were eligible to apply, but didn't. Pinellas is the only district that was eligible to apply for a grant in both rounds, but showed no interest.

Around the country, education reformers trying to help more districts and charters work together. They're also looking at the factors that can draw top-performing charter schools to low-income neighborhoods. With that in mind, the three latest collaboration proposals are worth a closer look.

Bridging the gap in Hillsborough

Hillsborough officials say they want to bring a new high-impact charter school to Tampa's urban core, where middle school proficiency rates are roughly 40 percent lower than elsewhere in the district.

The district says it wants to share know-how with the charter organization, and help with teacher recruitment and facilities, in a collaboration that could "serve as a replicable model for other districts around the nation." (more…)

Last week, a once-growing network of Florida charter schools shuttered with little warning.

As former students scramble to find schools for the final weeks of the school year, some of the state's leading charter school advocates say the case of Acclaim Academy should strengthen their case for changes aimed at reining in charter operators who are not prepared to manage schools.

This year, state lawmakers had agreed on some changes to that effect. Their proposals ultimately fell by the wayside, along with a number of other bills, as the regular legislative session came to an unexpected early end.

State records and school district documents help shed light on Acclaim's push for rapid growth, its ensuing implosion, and the debate over how to prevent similar episodes in the future.

In the fall of 2013, Acclaim Academy applied to open schools in half a dozen school districts across Florida. While some districts spotted red flags, two applications were approved. As a result, new schools in Orange and Palm Beach Counties were set to join existing ones in Osceola and Duval.

That year in December, roughly two months after districts considered those applications, Acclaim's Osceola County school received its first state letter grade, an F.

The next year, its Duval school received its first grade, also an F. The Osceola school then received its second F, meaning it would be forced to close.

Soon after, early in the second semester of this school year, the budding Acclaim Academy network started to falter.

Orange County district officials wrote a letter in March to the school operating there. Among other things, they warned its academics didn't appear up to snuff, and that it appeared to be hemorrhaging students, which would cause it to lose state funding.

Weeks later, they told the school it could be forced to close within 90 days. The school, they noted, appeared to have taken out a short-term loan to offset its funding decline. Around the same time, officials in Duval also began raising questions. But what happened next took many people by surprise. (more…)

Charter schools. Students scramble for other options - and say emotional goodbyes - as their charter school shuts down late in the school year. First Coast News. An Alachua charter school's principal and some of its board members resign. Gainesville Sun.

School choice. Schools should have to compete for students, and students should be free to choose, an Orlando Sentinel guest column argues.

Career academies. Demand is high for a new Okaloosa machining academy. Northwest Florida Daily News. Duval launches an aviation program. Florida Times-Union.

Lawsuits. Florida Virtual School takes its supporting foundation to court over alleged financial mismanagement. Orlando Sentinel.

Magnet schools. Duval offers students a museum-themed magnet. Florida Times-Union.

Virtual school. Palm Beach's virtual school will celebrate its graduating class. Palm Beach Post.

Testing. What will testing reductions mean for teacher evaluations? StateImpact. North Florida students seem OK with the switch to computerized testing. Northwest Florida Daily News. Students have to retake geometry exams after they were improperly given calculators. Fox 13.

Remedial courses. Remedial reading and math classes will no longer be mandatory for struggling students, though schools will be required to offer them support. Orlando Sentinel.

Special needs. A program helps students with unique abilities cultivate practical skills. Naples Daily News.

Employee conduct. A Mavericks High principal caught with a student in a pot-filled car had a history of issues at a charter school where she previously worked. Palm Beach Post. Sun-Sentinel. The issue has gotten the attention of outlets like Gawker. A Jacksonville teacher faces allegations of an improper relationship with a student. Florida Times-Union. A school staffing specialist is arrested for forging a doctor's note to get out of work. Keynoter.

Summer. Some Lee County schools plan to extend the school year to help combat the summer slide. Fort Myers News-Press. (more…)

School choice. Bills before the Florida Legislature would create universal open enrollment for public schools. Miami Herald.

Guns. A bill allowing certain school employees to carry guns gets approval from a state Senate panel. News Service of Florida. WCTV.

School closures. Parents at a rural Alachua County community continue to push back on a plan that would close their community elementary school. Gainesville Sun.

Special needs. Programs give special needs students a chance to take college classes. StateImpact.

Common Core. The Common Core State Standards remain a contentious political issue. Scripps.

School Boards. Manatee's school board cancels a special meeting on bid tampering allegations. Bradenton Herald.

Testing. Students who opt out of state assessments could be retained, Columbia County's superintendent warns. Gradebook. A Florida Senator with a penchant for provocative proposals seeks to temporarily halt the consequences of school accountability. Gradebook.

Wealth. A New York Times column suggests a Palm Beach County high school's polo team is a sign of a growing gap between haves and have-nots. More from the Palm Beach Post.

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Tax credit scholarships. A student receiving a scholarship overcomes homelessness and excels in high school. Miami Herald. The Tampa Tribune analyzes the program's growth.

Charter schools. Charters account for one-third of Hillsborough's enrollment growth. Tampa Bay Times. Sarasota school officials criticize four charter applications. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. The Naples Daily News follows an in-depth series on charter schools with an editorial calling for changes.

Broad Prize. Orange County Public Schools share in the national award for urban districts. Florida Today. Orlando Sentinel. Associated Press. Education Week.  WESH. News 13.

School choice. With some schools overcrowded and others under capacity, Palm Beach schools may give parents more choices. Palm Beach Post.

Magnet schools. Plans for Pasco's first magnet school are taking shape. Gradebook.

Testing. A Gainesville teacher's testing revolt prompts a town-hall meeting at her school. Gainesville Sun. Parents discuss opting out. Florida Today. Testing is a part of life, and has improved results for students, incoming House Speaker Steve Crisafulli argues in a Florida Today op-ed.

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Charter schools. High-performing Plato Academy plans to expand in Pinellas. Tampa Bay Times. The district is moving to take over a foundering charter for at-risk students. Tampa Tribune. The Palm Beach Post rips Mavericks High School in an editorial.

Private schools. A new Christian school in Ocala hopes to grow in the upcoming year. Ocala Star-Banner.

Civil rights. A federal investigation questions whether Hillsborough minority students have less access to experienced teachers and face tougher discipline. Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Tribune.

Books. A parent's complaint gets a novel pulled from a summer reading list. Tampa Bay Times.

Campaigns. Miami-Dade school board members rake in contributions despite facing little opposition. Miami Herald.

Finance. The Hernando district is spending more than it takes in. Tampa Bay Times. Manatee's budget situation is improving. Bradenton Herald.

Superintendents. Pinellas' chief gets his contract extended to 2020. Tampa Tribune.

Boundaries. Orange County approves a plan to redraw attendance boundaries for Jones High School. Orlando Sentinel.

Administration. The Okaloosa school district moves to standardize staff at all its schools. Northwest Florida Daily News. The Lee County school board approves a reorganization plan. Fort Myers News-Press. The Orange County school system is wasting money hiring class-size officers, an Orlando Sentinel columnist argues. Hillsborough schools get new principals. Tampa Tribune.

Vals and Sals. Broward schools keep their honorary titles. Sun-Sentinel.

Special needs. Legislation that will soon be headed to Gov. Rick Scott would give students with certain disabilities new ways to customize their education. Watchdog.org.

Career education. A 20-year-old career academy student overcomes long odds to earn a high school diploma. Northwest Florida Daily News. New diploma options could allow more career-center students to graduate with standard diplomas. Tampa Bay Times.

Budgets. A Palm Beach County advisory panel recommends the school district use operating funds to pay for capital projects. Palm Beach Post. Polk County school officials say pending funding increases may be inadequate to meet their district's needs. Lakeland Ledger.

Turnarounds. The Tampa Tribune looks at turnaround efforts underway in a handful of struggling Pinellas County schools.

Pay raises. Orange County teachers overwhelmingly approve a new contract with salary increases. Orlando Sentinel.

Superintendents. The Manatee County school board declines to approve a two-year contract extension for its superintendent. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Bradenton Herald.

Biometrics. A new law could bar the use of hand-scanner systems in school cafeterias. Tampa Bay Times.

Employee conduct. A Madison County teacher faces multiple accusations of sexual abuse. WFSU. The Okaloosa County school board upholds the firing of a teacher accused of slapping a student. Northwest Florida Daily News. A school clerk accused of stalking a principal is set to stand trial. Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Tribune.

Cellphones. The Broward County school district eases its restrictions. Sun-Sentinel.

Yearbooks. There's an app for that. Fort Myers News-Press.

Uniforms. A North Florida elementary school plans to require them next year. Northwest Florida Daily News.

Retirement. An outgoing teacher reflects on his 41-year career. Citrus County Chronicle.

School choice. "There has always been school choice," Palm Beach Post columnist Frank Cerabino claims in a column railing against charter schools and private-school scholarship programs.

Single-gender classes. Half a dozen single-gender schools are preparing to open in Jacksonville. Florida Times-Union.

Common Core. The latest tactic for opponents of the standards is a long shot. They are seeking a special legislative session in Florida. StateImpact.

Pay raises. Orange County teachers will vote on a re-worked pay raise plan approved by the school board. Orlando Sentinel. More from the Sentinel. WKMG. News 13.

Testing. It's bring-your-own computer mouse for some Pasco County teachers as their schools administer more statewide standardized exams on computers. Gradebook. For some schools, FCAT preparation includes pep rallies. Tampa Bay Times. StateImpact profiles the new SAT. Lee County teachers oppose high-stakes testing. Naples Daily News.

Arts. A new music program comes with better academic results for a Miami middle school. Miami Herald.

School closures. An Orlando college student produces a documentary arguing against the closure of an elementary school, which could come as a result of a new inner-city school opening nearby. Orlando Sentinel.

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