Big story: Twenty Florida school districts are asking voters to support 22 tax referendums during this year’s election cycle.

About half want property tax increases to support wages and academic programs, while the other half want sales tax increases to support construction, maintenance and capital needs. Approval is required to use capital budget money for general operating expenses.

Officials in each region have their own specific details for campaigning. But they share common ground: the view that the state is not providing adequate funding despite annual increases in education dollars.

A spokesman for the Manatee County school district said some school board members who came into office opposing the property tax initiative supported the plan after trying and failing to find ways to cut the budget by as much as referendum revenue could cover. . Read more about Manatee’s referendum From the Bradenton Herald.

Hillsborough County is the only county in the Tampa Bay area seeking initial approval rather than renewal for a local option property tax. It failed two years ago. This time, leaders say they are more optimistic, but they still worry about opposition. Read more here.

Hernando County is one of two counties with two tax referendums on Tuesday’s ballot. Superintendent Ray Pinder explains his administration’s rationale for sales tax request via Hernando Sun.

hot topics

Academic freedom: University of Florida held an academic symposium on the Israel-Gaza war could not be held on campusWUFT reported the event a day before it was to take place. While organizers said they followed all university rules, school officials said it was misrepresented as a university-sponsored event.

Book challenges: Latest PEN America survey shows Florida ban more school books Florida has more than any other state in 2023-24, according to the Phoenix report.

University expenses: Several Florida colleges offers tuition discounts for out-of-state students for certain online workforce training programs, CBS reports.

DeSantis’ agenda: Six school board candidates With the approval of Governor Ron DeSantis. It will be on the statewide ballot Tuesday, Politico Florida reported. Over the past few years, DeSantis has worked to make his mark on local school districts by supporting candidates who support his agenda.

Revenue share: Broward County school district’s agreement to pay local charter schools a share of past referendum revenues increased to 120 million dollars Some school board members see this as government interference, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

School closings: Duval County school board members to decide Which schools will be closed? As part of a cost-savings plan, Jacksonville Today reports.

School threats: Brevard County sheriff continues make public demonstrations The number of teenagers arrested on charges of threatening violence against schools, Florida Today reported.

Don’t miss any story. Here is a link Summary of Friday.

Before you go… They were supposed to do a tribute to Kris Kristofferson at Farm Aid, right?