Today's news

WALKING TO WIN: Pasco's school employee association plans to hit the street to seek support for its bargaining position, but also for its preferred candidate for superintendent, challenger Steve Donaldson. (Image from Donaldson's campaign Web site)

HIRING REVIEW: St. Petersburg College trustees launch an independent audit of hiring practices amid allegations that president Carl Kuttler improperly hired a friend to an administrative post.

FRILL? OR LIFE-SAVING LESSON? Hernando officials are considering whether to end water safety classes for all kindergarteners in order to save some cash.

FORGET METAL DETECTORS: If you want to keep guns off campus, educate students to tell authorities if one of their classmates has one, the Fort Pierce Tribune reports. (It has been an issue in Fort Pierce since a 13-year-old was arrested with a gun at school.)

DARE DROPPED: Lee schools lose the drug prevention program through budget cuts, and resource officers might be next, the Fort Myers News-Press reports.

CUSTODIANS COMPLAIN: Recently outsourced Collier custodians file an EEOC complaint against the district, alleging the district violated the civil rights of the mostly Hispanic crew, the Naples Daily News reports.

KIPP IS COMING: Duval lands Florida's first KIPP school. The nationally lauded charter school is expected to debut here in 2010, the Florida Times-Union reports.

BONUSES AT FAMU: The university's administration seeks permission to grant $1,000 one-time bonuses to the faculty and staff, who haven't seen a raise in five years, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

HARDER TIMES AHEAD: Volusia leaders warn that the district's deficit could grow another $8-million, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.

WORKING MORE FOR LESS: Brevard teachers' contract doesn't compare favorably with others around the state, Florida Today reports.

AROUND THE NATION: Texas looks to revamp its teacher merit pay plan after nearly 60 percent of schools fail to qualify in the second year, the Dallas Morning News reports. Latin isn't dead anymore, the NY Times reports. Raises are no longer an option for Montgomery Co., Md., schools either, the Washington Post reports.

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