Are Florida Schools Banning Books? Or removing sexually explicit material?

The big story: In a list quietly released in recent days, Florida schools reported removing more than 700 titles from their shelves in 2023-2024, doubling the total collected the year before. While some districts saw their numbers rise, others had none.

Clay County Schools led the way with 287 moves, reports Jacksonville Today.

What happens here depends on one’s perspective.

Critics of the effort say the state supports the banning of books and the censorship of ideas. They note that the count only reflects the books that are being challenged by the public, and not those that school officials have decided to omit without complaint or that have been temporarily moved or restricted. In other words, the total is even greater than reported.

A spokesperson for the Florida Department of Education countered that no books were banned. Rather, she said, schools have taken steps to ensure that sexually explicit material is not in school libraries for children to access, and that the material remains available elsewhere.

Lawmakers have taken steps to reduce the number of formal objections one individual can make. They have also expanded the definitions of what they consider age-appropriate material.

Lawsuits over the contents of school libraries continue. Read more from Associated press And Florida Phoenix.

Popular topics

Woke up. A conservative comedian and commentator will teach a course on “wokeness” at the New College of Florida, treating the topic as “being woke.” “a kind of sect.” • Santa Fe College is reviewing approximately 100 new general education courses to comply with the state’s requirement that diversity, equity and inclusion not be included, the Independent Florida Alligator reports. It partners with the Florida College System.

What’s in a name? The Pinellas County School Board named its new leadership center to former Superintendent Mike Gregowho made leadership training a central part of his administration.

Save the tape. The Tarpon High School marching band conducts its final practice sessions is going to the Bands of America Grand National Championshipreports Bay News 9.

Stop making threats. A school in Broward County will have that extra safety for the rest of the week after receiving threats of violence, WPLG reports.

It’s a wage race. The Palm Beach County School Board is refuses to give his police force bigger pay increases than it provided for teachers and other employees, the Palm Beach Post reports. • The Bay County School Board approved a a starting teacher salary of $50,000 and $1,750 to all current teachers, WJHG reports.

The last education secretary? A few Names from Florida appear amid speculation about who could lead Donald Trump’s charge to end the Department of Education, The Hill reports.

Growing strong. Retiring St. Johns County Superintendent Tim Forson says that’s what his replacement will need Keep growth management top of mind as enrollment increases in the district, WJAX reports.

About that fair… Glen Gilzean, outgoing Orange County elections supervisor defended his decision to use $2.1 million from his budget to create a scholarship in his name, amid criticism from other officials that it was an inappropriate use of the money, Florida Politics reports.

Don’t miss a story. Here is the link to it yesterday’s round-up.

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