Today's news

NO BID NEEDED: The Hillsborough School Board awards a $158,000 contract to a former employee amid criticism that the district should have sought bids for the project.

HELP WITH HOUSING: The Pasco school district is investigating whether to help build affordable housing for school employees.

RE-VOTE: The Hernando School Board asks its teachers union to reconsider its support of a teacher performance pay plan, as the cost to support it rises sharply.

GOODBYE TO TEXTBOOKS? A growing number of states are adopting online materials and other paperless texts, potentially saving billions. One of the biggest developments is here in Florida, USA Today reports.

NO PRE-TESTS: Broward students get the chance to opt out of FCAT pre-tests, following the School Board's directive to scale back the unending attention to the high-stakes test, the Sun-Sentinel reports. Close to 51,000 students are affected, the Miami Herald reports.

LET THE TUITION START RISING: The University of Central Florida officially raised tuition on Tuesday. And that's just the beginning, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

SALES TAX CONTINUED: Sarasota voters reauthorize a 1 percent sales tax that supports school construction, the Herald-Tribune reports.

AUDITORS CRITICIZE FAU: A preliminary state audit says Florida Atlantic University paid a former fund raiser more than $500,000 to avoid bad publicity, the Palm Beach Post reports.

BILLBOARD ALERTS: Flashing billboards are just one step St. Lucie County is taking to make drivers more aware that kids are walking to and from school along busy roadways, the Stuart News reports.

DEAL REACHED: Brevard teachers and the district settle the teachers' contract, Florida Today reports. They had been separated over how elementary teachers use their planning time.

ABSTINENCE EDUCATION: Yet another report says it doesn't make a difference, the Associated Press reports.

NO VOUCHERS: The Salt Lake Tribune headline says it all - "Vouchers go down in flames."