LGBT policies: The Brevard County School Board approves a non-discrimination policy for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff and students. The debate took six hours and the vote was 3-2 on the controversial measure, which would also ban discrimination on the basis of pregnancy. Florida Today. The Hillsborough County School District is planning a universal bathroom in every school in order to accommodate transgender students and others who don't wish to use communal bathrooms. Administrators also undergo training for sensitivity. Tampa Bay Times. WFLA. WTSP. 

Charter schools: University Preparatory Academy becomes the fifth charter school to close in Pinellas County this year. The school's governing board was expected to present the district with a new operating plan, but instead announced it would close. Pinellas officials will try to keep the school open as a district school. Tampa Bay Times. The Pasco County School District is recommending to the school board that the Athenian Academy of Pasco be given a five-year contract extension. The charter school has clashed with the district in the past, but the school has no financial issues and received a passing grade from the state (a D). Gradebook.

School uniforms: The Pasco County School Board tentatively approves dress codes for Ridgewood High School and Hudson Elementary School. At Ridgewood, students would wear collared polo shirts and khaki, blue or black pants. Hudson's students would wear red or blue polo shirts and khaki or blue pants, shorts or skirts. Gradebook.

Educational politics: While Florida's education policies have been designed largely by the Republicans who dominate the state Legislature, there are several differences between them and the policies in the Republican Party's national platform. Politico Florida. (more…)