The big story: The Florida Senate is continuing its push to eliminate what leaders have called “onerous codes” regulating the state’s public schools.

The upper chamber on Thursday unanimously approved legislation (SB 320) that would remove parts of the inches-thick education code that Senate President Ben Albritton suggested stand in the way of traditional district schools competing on an equal footing with the many other education options that lawmakers have expanded in recent years.

It’s time to take the shackles off, Albritton said, holding his wrists together to illustrate, and “not get bound around the axle by a bunch of incremental things that at the end of the day may not make that much of a difference anyhow.”

The measure, sponsored by Education PreK-12 Committee chairperson Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, includes provisions that would allow high-performing teachers to have multiyear contracts, simplify local testing calendars, give districts more flexibility in how they use revenue from their capital projects tax, and relax long-term planning requirements, among other subjects.

“For the past few years, we have tried to carve back some of the many, many regulations we have put on district schools,” Simon said. “The focus should be on our students.”

He expressed confidence that an identical measure in the House (HB 963) would have better luck than last year, when the lower chamber did not take up the Senate initiative. Simon said he removed some of the more contentious items, such as eliminating high school graduation testing requirements, to generate more backing.

It’s the second time in two weeks that the Senate has laid its cards on the table with regard to what observers consider key education issues that could take all session to resolve. In one of its first acts as a full body, the Senate adopted legislation to reform school voucher funding, something the House has signaled it supports in concept while also opposing some significant portions of the Senate proposal.

The third pressing issue — co-location of Schools of Hope charter schools — hasn’t yet been aired in either chamber, though bills have been filed. The Department of Education also has begun the process to revise the current rules amid complaints coming from across the state.

Education lobbyists said they’re expecting committee bills to emerge in the next few weeks indicating just how far each body is willing to go on the three topics, any of which could become a bargaining chip as priorities get set and swapped.

Campus Rays stadium: State Sen. Danny Burgess requested $50 million for capital improvements at Hillsborough College a day before the school’s trustees agreed to explore construction of a Tampa Bay Rays stadium on its Dale Mabry campus.

Corporal punishment: A Dixie County teacher accused of hitting and abusing students with special needs won’t be charged with a crime because of Florida’s law allowing corporal punishment, WCJB reports.

Charter schools: Parents at an Orange County elementary school voted to convert the school to charter status, the Orlando Sentinel reports. • A recently converted Alachua County charter school is asking the district school board to pay more than $90,000 in lawyer fees the charter incurred fighting the district’s effort to stop the conversion, MainStreet Daily News reports.

Handwriting: The Florida House is advancing legislation to require students be able to demonstrate proficiency in cursive writing by the end of fifth grade, Florida Phoenix reports.

Moms for Liberty: The Indian River County chapter of Moms for Liberty, which led Florida’s push to ban school books and end masking mandates, has dissolved, TC Palm reports.

Private schools: The Frazer School in Alachua County was created over a dispute regarding math team competitions in the public schools. The Gainesville Sun takes a look at the school’s approach as it transforms its operations.

School closures: The Broward County school board approved several school closures and consolidations as part of a long-term cost savings effort, WLRN reports. • Some parents at Pinellas County’s Cross Bayou Elementary are unhappy with the district’s plan to shutter the school at the end of the semester, Bay News 9 reports.

Schools of Hope: Brevard County public school advocates are pushing back against allowing certain charter schools to claim unused space in under-capacity district buildings, Florida Today reports.

Speed zones: Nearly 12,000 citations have been issued for speeding in Hendry County school zones since law enforcement installed cameras to monitor traffic, WGCU reports.

University hiring: The State University System Board of Governors will consider a measure banning universities from hiring foreign workers on an H1-B visa, Inside Higher Ed reports.

From the police blotter … A Duval County substitute teacher was arrested on allegations of possessing fentanyl at a local middle school, WJXT reports.

“It’s essential to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to uphold the rule of law while prioritizing safety and education for our students in an era where misinformation and divisive rhetoric can undermine trust in institutions.” — Bridget Ziegler, Sarasota County school board chairperson, on district support of federal immigration enforcement (Herald-Tribune)

“It’s just a political stunt to get her elevated through social media, through algorithms, and to catch the eye of some higher level politician.” — Tom Edwards, Sarasota County school board member, on Ziegler’s effort (WWSB)

“It makes me wonder why anyone would be so adamantly opposed to this, enough to even testify — so adamantly opposed that they don’t even want the people to decide for themselves. That’s how much people oppose prayer.” — State Rep. Chase Tramont, R-Port Orange, on legislation to strengthen religious expression in schools within the state constitution (Tallahassee Democrat)

“Having a politically and socially active community should be a goal of our education system, not something we are undermining.” —Jon Harris Mauer, Equality Florida lobbyist, on legislation further barring diversity initiatives in schools (Florida Phoenix)

Florida teens have been able take the Classic Learning Test as a high school graduation test option and college admission entrance exam since 2023. What’s the CLT’s next proposed move to expand its scope in Florida and the rest of the nation?

a) Private classical education schools

b) Classical Baccalaureate, to compete with International Baccalaureate

c) Classical Virtual, as an alternative to Florida Virtual

Find the answer from Real Clear Education.

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.