Florida relaxes rules on teens working during school days

The big story: One of the more heated debates during this year’s Florida legislative session centered on the tension between teens’ studies and their work hours.

Some state lawmakers proposed easing some of the restrictions on when 16- and 17-year-olds can be on the job. Early on, the bill would have eliminated rules saying teens cannot work more than 8 hours when school is scheduled for the next day, and that they may not work more than 30 hours in a week.

Arguing that families can make decisions in their children’s best interest, and that businesses needed help finding employees, the sponsors pushed ahead. They made some concessions to get the measure passed. And now Gov. Ron DeSantis has made it law. Read more from the News Service of Florida.

Hot topics

Turnaround efforts: The head of the Broward County school district’s strategy and innovation office was chosen to become the Vermont secretary of education, Vermont Business Magazine reports. Zoie Saunders had been on the job in Broward since December, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

Start times: The Polk County school district will hold five public hearings as it crafts new bell schedules that meet requirements for high schools to begin classes no earlier than 8:30 a.m., the Ledger reports.

School choice: The Indian River County school district is looking into converting one of its elementary schools into a “classical education” magnet, WPTV reports. • About a quarter of Escambia County students are enrolled in private education, with vouchers playing a major factor, WEAR reports.

Public information: Flagler County’s superintendent traditionally has provided a free presentation about the state of the district to the public. The local chamber of commerce plans to charge $30 a person for this year’s address, without consulting the district first, Flagler Live reports.

New schools: The Manatee County Commission gave the green light for the school district to build two new schools in high growth areas, the Herald-Tribune reports. • The Marion County school district is planning two additional elementary schools to help cope with crowding, WCJB reports.

Just say no: The State Board of Education will consider requiring college dorms to keep opioid antagonists such as naxolone on hand, News Service of Florida reports. The board meets Wednesday.

Job cuts: The Leon County school district is cutting about 70 positions as federal relief funds dry up, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

Board politics: Alachua County school board members are at odds over the administration’s proposal of a new alternative school that the board did not approve, the Gainesville Sun reports.

From the police blotter ... The mom of an Santa Rosa County student who brought a gun to school was arrested on accusations of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to Friday’s roundup.

Before you go ... Beetlejuice? Beetlejuice! Say it one more time ...