Florida school elections come in August. Campaigns are starting now.

The big story: With Florida’s presidential primary now over, candidates for local election have begun to ramp up their campaigns for the fall.

In addition to school board seats across the state. superintendent jobs in about two thirds of the districts also are up for consideration. That includes a return to an elected superintendent in Lee County, which voters approved two years ago.

Pasco County remains the nation’s largest school district to have its chief executive selected at the ballot box rather than appointed by the board. It’s guaranteed a change at the top come November, as three-term incumbent Kurt Browning has decided to retire. Three people so far have entered the race to replace him. Read more here.

Hot topics

Artificial intelligence: The University of South Florida announced the creation of Florida’s first college of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

Charter schools: Documents reveal that a push to convert three Alachua County public schools into charters is more than a grassroots effort, paying parents to be the face of the movement, the Gainesville Sun reports.

College admissions: The University of Florida has added an “early action” option for applicants who want to know their admission status sooner than the spring, the Gainesville Sun reports.

Financial aid: The percentage of Florida high school seniors submitting a FAFSA form has dropped by nearly 40% from a year ago. That could mean millions in aid would be left unused. • USF and UCF joined the University of Florida in pushing back their enrollment deadlines because of delays in financial aid offers, WUSF reports. • The Biden Administration announced another round of student loan forgiveness, focusing on teachers, firefighters and other public service employees, USA Today Florida Network reports.

Funding: New College of Florida missed out on $2 million in state performance-based funding. It’s trying to secure a portion of the money with its new student success plan monitoring report, News Service of Florida reports.

Lunch menu: Hillsborough County students participated in the school district’s first-ever fully Florida sourced cafeteria lunch, WMNF reports. The district aims to more regularly use local foods, WFTS reports.

Solar eclipse: Though it’s a cool science lesson, the April 8 solar eclipse is not a school holiday, Florida Today reports.

Start times: Indian River County schools have begun preparing to shift high school start times in 2026. Officials said it will be a major endeavor, TC Palm reports.

Testing: Nearly 170 students at a Volusia County high school will have to retake their ACT after the school scheduled the test for the wrong day, WOFL reports.

From the police blotter ... A Columbia County private school operator was arrested on accusations of misusing more than $1 million in state funds, WJXT reports.

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

Before you go ... Looking for a new guilty pleasure TV show? Check out “Somebody Feed Phil” on Netflix. This season he has an Orlando episode, including this clip from Crocante Restaurant.