The big story: Florida lawmakers directed that the state\u2019s schools teach children about the evils of communism.<\/p>\n
They said they didn\u2019t want students to be indoctrinated, just to learn the truth. They left the details to the Department of Education.<\/p>\n
The department will bring its proposed standards on the topic to the State Board of Education later this month. Some experts who have reviewed the recommendations contend the material reads like Cold War propaganda. Read more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Charter schools: Escambia County is suing a former charter school owner<\/a> who\u2019s in jail, in hopes of recouping nearly $7 million in fines, interest and court costs he owes, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.<\/p>\n Federal shutdown: Head Start centers in Florida and across the nation are shutting their doors<\/a> as their federal funds run dry because of the government shutdown, Associated Press reports. \u2022 Several Florida school districts are preparing to ensure students have access to food as SNAP benefits end<\/a> during the shutdown, WPBF reports.<\/p>\n Halloween costumes: A Leon County high school student was sent home for coming to school on Halloween dressed as a Nazi soldier<\/a>, WCTV reports. \u2022 Gov. Ron DeSantis shared a viral social media post claiming that some Arizona teachers were glorifying murder with their Halloween costumes<\/a>. Their school said the shirts the teachers wore were math-themed and had no connection to the murder of activist Charlie Kirk, Newsweek reports.<\/p>\n K-8 schools: The St. Lucie County school district is making progress on its newest K-8 school<\/a>, which opens next fall, TC Palm reports. It has more of the increasingly popular model planned for the future.<\/p>\n Property taxes: Gov. Ron DeSantis says the majority of property taxes that fund schools and local government come from vacation homes and businesses. PolitiFact Florida rates his statement Mostly True<\/a>.<\/p>\n School bonds: The Broward County school district is ending its troubled construction bond program<\/a> of 2014, with a goal of getting voters to approve a new one, the Sun-Sentinel reports.<\/p>\n Schools of Hope: Charter schools in Sarasota County have nearly the same vacancy rate<\/a> as traditional public schools, Suncoast Searchlight reports. Schools of Hope charters have targeted district schools, but not charter schools, with available space for \u201cco-location\u201d under a recently adopted law. \u2022 The Sarasota district has crafted a plan aimed at reducing its unused space<\/a> and maintaining control of its buildings, Suncoast Searchlight reports.<\/p>\n Teacher pay: Teachers at a St. Lucie County private school that closed are still awaiting their back pay<\/a>. Getting the money is proving difficult, WPTV reports.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss a story. Here\u2019s a link to Friday\u2019s roundup<\/a>.<\/p>\n Before you go … How would you like your boating trip to include something like this?<\/p>\n