The big story: Another failed school board candidate has found a way to the post she sought, with the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Late Friday, the governor announced his appointment of Karen Rose to the Sarasota County school board. Rose, who had served one term on the nonpartisan board previously, lost her 2024 reelection bid despite her endorsement by DeSantis in a county where Republicans outnumber Democrats nearly two to one.
DeSantis had named Rose, an educator, to the State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota board of trustees in June. He places her on the Sarasota school board after another member resigned to become the school district’s police chief.
It’s a familiar pattern. Since the 2024 election, DeSantis also named failed candidates he backed for the Broward and Hillsborough school boards to the State Board of Education, and one candidate for Flagler County school board to the position he lost in the election.
A Sarasota County public education advocacy group is voicing its displeasure with the latest move. Lisa Schurr, cofounder of Support Our Schools, is raising questions about what Rose offered to do in exchange for the seat.
Schurr noted that after Rose lost, she did not attend board meetings or workshops in person for the remainder of her term. The governor must have a reason for wanting back in office a conservative politician that heavily Republican Sarasota rejected, she said.
“Local rule is dying drop by drop,” Schurr said in an email to the Tampa Bay Times. “DeSantis seems to think he knows more than the voters. Fascism replaces local rule.”
Rose’s appointment takes effect today.
University development: The University of South Florida could begin construction of a planned residential-retail development along Fletcher Avenue as early as the spring.
Social media: The Alachua County teachers union advised members to use caution on social media amid rising state scrutiny of their district, WCJB reports.
School closures: The Broward County school district is trying to decide what to do with 34 under-used schools, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
President searches: A group of Florida Memorial University trustees is disputing the appointment of the school’s new president, the Miami Herald reports. • The University of West Florida named a search committee to lead its search for a permanent president, News Service of Florida reports. Former senator and education commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. is the school’s interim leader.
Employee discipline: The Manatee County school board decided to keep a longtime district program specialist despite recommendations by a state agency and the former superintendent to fire him, the Bradenton Herald reports.
Campus security: Leon County schools continue to grapple with security, as two teens were arrested with weapons at school on Friday, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. • The State Attorney for Volusia and Flagler counties warned students and families about the consequences of making false threats against schools, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. • St. Lucie County schools will begin using metal detectors for random searches, TC Palm reports.
Bus cameras: Florida drivers ticketed for illegally passing stopped school buses now have an appeals process to pursue, WFTS reports.
Budget cuts: Sarasota County schools avoided teacher layoffs amid efforts to reduce spending, the Herald-Tribune reports.
From the police blotter … A Hernando County man was arrested after being accused of boarding a school bus on its route and threatening the driver, WTVT reports. • A Polk County man was arrested on allegations of climbing a fence onto an elementary school campus and checking classroom doors, WTVT reports.
From the court docket … A Marion County parent is suing the school district on accusations that her child was inappropriately touched by another child in a prekindergarten class, WCJB reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to Friday’s roundup.
Before you go … Ever wondered about yodeling?
