Today's news

FIRST, THE BUDGET: The Florida House and Senate come up with different ways to cope with declining revenue. Their plans on how to fund education and other services are likely to dominate the rest of the session.

Proposals call for the first reduction in per-student funding in years, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Tuition increases of 6 percent are also on the table, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. Bright Futures, though, remains untouched, the Palm Beach Post reports.

If the state doesn't meet its obligations to support education, Duval school leaders say they might sue, the Florida Times-Union reports. Meanwhile, many districts including Lee prepare for layoffs and program cuts in the wake of expected shortfalls, the Naples Daily News reports. Summer school takes the first hit in Brevard, Florida Today reports.

Now the rest of the news ...

ACCUSED TEACHER RESIGNS: Seminole High teacher and coach Thomas J. Anderson quit his job rather than face a hearing over his interaction with a female student.

WRONG? OR WRONGED? Family and friends stand by Lisa Marinelli, the Mitchell High substitute teacher who was arrested on charges of having sex with a student.

DO YOUR JOB: The Hillsborough school district should have stood behind its decision to remain open on Good Friday rather than send the message to students and employees that it was okay not to attend, the Times editorializes.

TOP OF THE CLASS - PASCO: Pasco High student's photo wins contest, calendar page; River Ridge Middle raises $894 for cancer hospital; 'Wildlife' signs result of students' actions (Seven Springs Middle)

HELP HOUSING: Volusia school officials consider a cut to the county's education impact fee, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.

NO WHINING, JUST WORK: A Miami Springs teen recruits classmates to prepare by themselves for the SAT. Their goals - a score of 700 on each section, a scholarship to a major university and a white-collar career, the NY Times reports.

IS FAMU FIXED? An accrediting team is on campus to find out, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

UNDER FIRE: Critics again question whether Sen. Mike Haridopolos has a conflict of interest by serving in the Legislature while  pulling down a salary from UF, the Gainesville Sun reports.

SLOW DOWN: Manatee County extends its reduced-speed school zones to the streets surrounding elementary schools, the Bradenton Herald reports.

IT'S NOT WORKING: After-school tutoring aimed at helping students improve their performance under No Child Left Behind isn't reaching as many kids as expected and, when it does, their results aren't so hot, USA Today reports.