The big story: As part of an effort to change the way it handles employee discipline, the Pasco County school district administration has asked for permission to suspend workers without pay before the school board can vote on it.
In Florida, while the superintendent can place someone on paid leave, only the board can withhold pay or terminate employment.
“While the vast majority of our employees will not be impacted whatsoever by any of this, we want to do anything we can to safeguard our education community from those very few people who may place students at risk,” deputy superintendent Betsy Kuhn told board members on Tuesday.
Kuhn brought up the idea two weeks after superintendent John Legg said he was dissatisfied with the manner in which some cases were handled. He specifically spoke to the way teacher Joel Lust was able to remain paid at work long after the district learned Lust was under federal investigation for child pornography possession.
“This proposal would allow the district to respond immediately in rare but severe circumstances such as certain arrests or serious allegations, while also providing staff adequate time to complete required notifications, documentation and procedural steps,” Kuhn said.
Legg said he got the idea from other districts that pre-approve such moves, with a formal ratification of the decision to follow.
Jeff Larsen, president of United School Employees of Pasco, said he had not been briefed on the concept. He said he would look into the details, noting there is a difference in the way someone who is arrested might be treated compared to someone who is accused.
The board is expected to discuss the proposal in April and vote on the recommendation in May. District legal counsel continues to review other policies relating to employee discipline.
Hot topics
Advanced courses: Florida lawmakers approved added financial incentives for teachers whose students do well in state-created college preparatory courses, Politico Florida reports. So far, the state has developed just one such class.
Legislative priorities: The majority of the Duval County school district’s legislative priorities went unresolved in the 2026 session, Jacksonville Today reports.
School closures: As part of the Palm Beach County school district’s plans to consolidate attendance zones, the district will close an elementary school and build a new high school on its site, the Palm Beach Post reports.
School visitor: A school resource officer wrangled a 6-1/2-foot alligator in a culvert outside an Osceola County middle school, WSVN reports.
Sociology lessons: Some Florida university professors are quietly ignoring state guidelines restricting content in sociology courses, The Guardian reports.
University research: Florida’s public universities have seen their research funding increase 43% over five years, Florida Phoenix reports. The University of Florida led the way, followed by the University of South Florida and Florida State.
From the police blotter … A Miami-Dade County high school flag football coach was arrested on allegations of child abuse and battery against an underage student, WTVJ reports.
From the court docket … A Palm Beach County school district employee accused of punching a student will not face criminal charges, WPBF reports.
In their own words
“Our school district recognizes and embraces that students benefit from having a variety of different instructional approaches. Students are unique, and we don’t subscribe to a one-size-fits-all approach to their learning.” — Fred Heid, Polk County superintendent, on exploring the micro-school learning model (FEE.org)
“Too many talented people want to teach but feel overwhelmed by the process and are unsure where to start.” — Leslie Miller Saiontz, Miami Achieve founder, on Miami’s Teacher Accelerator Program (Miami Today)
Quick quiz
Families at Hillsborough County’s Pizzo K-8 are rallying to keep their school open, saying its situation isn’t like others around Florida being proposed for closure. What’s the reason the district has proposed shutting down the campus, which has a robust enrollment?
a) The district can’t afford the lease payments to the University of South Florida
b) USF wants to use the site for its stadium expansion plans
c) The district doesn’t want to make new investments in the aging buildings
Find the answer in this story from the Tampa Bay Times.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Jeffrey S. Solochek is a reporter covering education as a member of the Tampa Bay Times Education Hub. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by clicking here.
