20 bus drivers quit during first week of school in one Florida county
Many of Florida’s largest school districts are finding it difficult because of the pandemic to hire enough bus drivers, with some using managers and other stop-gap measures to get students to class as the new school year begins.
Many of Florida’s largest school districts are finding it difficult because of the pandemic to hire enough bus drivers, with some using managers and other stop-gap measures to get students to class as the new school year begins.
State argues school mask lawsuit should be tossed
Arguing that the case raises a "political" question, attorneys for the state say a circuit judge should dismiss a lawsuit challenging moves by Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration that seek to prevent school districts from requiring students to wear masks.
Arguing that the case raises a "political" question, attorneys for the state say a circuit judge should dismiss a lawsuit challenging moves by Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration that seek to prevent school districts from requiring students to wear masks.
Orange County Public Schools looking to offer rapid testing during school
Winegard Elementary School on Thursday will offer rapid COVID testing after school for students. It’s part of a new initiative by the Florida Department of Health to increase access to testing and prevent the spread in schools.
Winegard Elementary School on Thursday will offer rapid COVID testing after school for students. It’s part of a new initiative by the Florida Department of Health to increase access to testing and prevent the spread in schools.
US Department of Education says it's 'deeply concerned' about DeSantis' ban on school mask mandates
The U.S. Department of Education is “deeply concerned” about Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order seeking to ban school mask mandates and is ready to help districts directly, the federal agency said in a letter to the governor.
The U.S. Department of Education is “deeply concerned” about Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order seeking to ban school mask mandates and is ready to help districts directly, the federal agency said in a letter to the governor.
Mask mandate, with opt-out, approved for Manatee County schools
At an emergency meeting concerning COVID-19 cases in the district, Manatee County's school board voted to enact a policy similar to other school districts – one in which parents would have the ability to opt their kids out of wearing masks.
At an emergency meeting concerning COVID-19 cases in the district, Manatee County's school board voted to enact a policy similar to other school districts – one in which parents would have the ability to opt their kids out of wearing masks.
5,600 Hillsborough students quarantined due to COVID-19; emergency school board meeting this Wednesday
The Hillsborough County School Board says 5,599 students and 316 employees are being quarantined due to exposure to COVID-19 after just the first week of classes. Officials are calling an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss next steps, including a possible mask mandate for all students and staff.
The Hillsborough County School Board says 5,599 students and 316 employees are being quarantined due to exposure to COVID-19 after just the first week of classes. Officials are calling an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss next steps, including a possible mask mandate for all students and staff.
University of Florida reverses, to have in-person classes
The University of Florida will open its upcoming semester with in-person classes, reversing itself within hours of telling students the term might begin online because of the state’s renewed COVID-19 outbreak.
The University of Florida will open its upcoming semester with in-person classes, reversing itself within hours of telling students the term might begin online because of the state’s renewed COVID-19 outbreak.
Biden calls Florida school superintendents who defied DeSantis' anti-mask rules
President Biden called several Florida school district superintendents to praise them for doing “the right thing” after their boards implemented mask requirements in defiance of Gov. Ron DeSantis' ban on mask mandates in schools amid growing COVID-19 infections.
President Biden called several Florida school district superintendents to praise them for doing “the right thing” after their boards implemented mask requirements in defiance of Gov. Ron DeSantis' ban on mask mandates in schools amid growing COVID-19 infections.
Biden admin backs Texas, Florida districts on mask mandates
President Joe Biden’s administration on Friday offered its full-throated support for local cities and school boards in Texas and Florida that are defying orders by their Republican governors that prohibit mask-wearing mandates in schools.
President Joe Biden’s administration on Friday offered its full-throated support for local cities and school boards in Texas and Florida that are defying orders by their Republican governors that prohibit mask-wearing mandates in schools.
Florida judge to decide on challenge to DeSantis’ ban on mask mandates in schools
The mask showdown continues Friday inside of a Florida courtroom as parents face off against Governor Ron DeSantis, challenging his executive order against mandating masks inside of schools.
The mask showdown continues Friday inside of a Florida courtroom as parents face off against Governor Ron DeSantis, challenging his executive order against mandating masks inside of schools.
National Education Association supports vaccine mandates, COVID-19 testing
The nation’s largest teachers’ union issued a statement on Thursday supporting the use of FDA-authorized vaccines or regular COVID-19 testing for all public school educators.
The nation’s largest teachers’ union issued a statement on Thursday supporting the use of FDA-authorized vaccines or regular COVID-19 testing for all public school educators.
Non-profit Saddle Up Riding Club calling on community to help save part of program
A riding club that has served Pinellas County's horseback riding community for almost 20 years is looking for help from that community to keep part of the non-profit program alive.
A riding club that has served Pinellas County's horseback riding community for almost 20 years is looking for help from that community to keep part of the non-profit program alive.
440 students told to quarantine in Palm Beach County just 2 days into new school year
Just 2 days into the school year, Palm Beach County sent 440 students home to quarantine after 51 students and staff tested positive for COVID-19. The district requires masks -- but allows parents to opt out their children, per Gov. DeSantis' order.
Just 2 days into the school year, Palm Beach County sent 440 students home to quarantine after 51 students and staff tested positive for COVID-19. The district requires masks -- but allows parents to opt out their children, per Gov. DeSantis' order.
Four Broward teachers die of COVID-19, days before school year begins, union says
Four teachers have died of COVID-19 in Broward County in a 24-hour period, just days before the school year begins, the local teachers union confirmed. All of the educators were on summer break when they got the virus, and at least three of the four were not vaccinated.
Four teachers have died of COVID-19 in Broward County in a 24-hour period, just days before the school year begins, the local teachers union confirmed. All of the educators were on summer break when they got the virus, and at least three of the four were not vaccinated.
As COVID-19 cases rise in schools, health officials say it’s going to get worse before it gets better
Across the Bay Area, COVID cases are quickly beginning to pile up in schools.
Across the Bay Area, COVID cases are quickly beginning to pile up in schools.
'COVID fee': 2 colleges in West Virginia, Alabama billing unvaccinated students
A college in West Virginia and another in Alabama will be charging students unvaccinated against COVID-19 hundreds of dollars in extra fees this fall.
A college in West Virginia and another in Alabama will be charging students unvaccinated against COVID-19 hundreds of dollars in extra fees this fall.
‘A success story’: Lakewood Elementary teachers in St. Pete first to receive $1,000 bonuses
After going from an "F" school to an "A" school, the teachers of Lakewood Elementary in St. Pete were among the first in Florida to receive their $1,000 bonus.
After going from an "F" school to an "A" school, the teachers of Lakewood Elementary in St. Pete were among the first in Florida to receive their $1,000 bonus.
Broward school board becomes latest to defy DeSantis by imposing mask mandate in schools
The Florida Department of Education is threatening to withhold the salaries of the Broward County superintendent and the members of the school board after they became the latest county to defy Gov. Ron DeSantis' executive order barring mask mandates in schools.
The Florida Department of Education is threatening to withhold the salaries of the Broward County superintendent and the members of the school board after they became the latest county to defy Gov. Ron DeSantis' executive order barring mask mandates in schools.
Alachua schools stay course on mask requirement despite threats
Two school districts that faced pressure from Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran about their attempts to require students to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic have given vastly different responses to the state.
Two school districts that faced pressure from Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran about their attempts to require students to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic have given vastly different responses to the state.
With masks optional, Pinellas students head to campus on first day of school
The new school year is officially underway in all of the Bay Area as classes in Pinellas County begin Wednesday.
The new school year is officially underway in all of the Bay Area as classes in Pinellas County begin Wednesday.