Today's news

HOW CLOSE IS TOO CLOSE? Having sex with students obviously crosses the line. But what about sending e-mails? Meeting with a student behind closed doors for a private educational conversation? Tampa Bay area teachers talk about how even the most innocent acts can be misconstrued, and how they need to take care to avoid trouble. (istockphoto.com)

TWEAKING TAX PROPOSAL: The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission edits its tax-swap proposal before sending it to voters. A key move is to change some dates so schools wouldn't lose money while lawmakers decide how to replace lost revenue, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

FORGET UF: Florida Gulf Coast U's new president wants to make his university the top choice, at least for students in southwest Florida, the Fort Myers News-Press reports.

LET'S TALK: Broward's superintendent suggests a meeting with Lauderdale Lakes leaders who have proposed suing the district over what they consider uneven education offerings, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

LEGACY WORTH PROTECTING: Residents of rural eastern Manatee County plan to fight to keep their one-room school - Florida's last - from falling to the budget ax, the Bradenton Herald reports.

SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT: The University of Florida sees several of its programs move up in the US News & World Report annual college ranking guide, the Gainesville Sun reports.

Visit the Gradebook at noon for an interview with Benjamin Ajak, a Sudanese refugee who has won acclaim for his book about his struggles. He visited Lakewood High earlier this week and talked to reporter Ron Matus about reading, education and life.