New College overhaul nets president Corcoran a $200,000 reward

The big story: As Florida Republicans sought to reimagine the state’s higher education system, they placed New College of Florida in the crucible.

Saying the school had veered too far to the left, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed a new majority to the board of trustees. He gave them the directive of remaking the school to be more like Hillsdale College, the tiny Michigan school that has had outsized influence in conservative circles.

Those trustees selected former House speaker and state education commissioner Richard Corcoran to lead the effort. And though his actions have proven controversial, the trustees have liked what they’ve seen in Corcoran’s performance so far. Enough to give him a $200,000 bonus. Read more here.

Trustees also denied tenure to an assistant professor for the second time, at Corcoran’s recommendation, the Herald-Tribune reports. It granted tenure to six other faculty members.

Hot topics

Weather report: Godby High School in Leon County suffered extensive flooding and remains closed while officials work to clean up the mess, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

Vaping: Charlotte County schools could soon add vape detection devices to campus restrooms as officials seek to reduce student vaping, WINK reports.

Tutoring: A billionaire investor donated $9 million to the Miami-Dade County school district so it can provide a math tutoring program to middle schoolers over the next three years, the Miami Herald reports.

Teacher training: Daytona State College is partnering with Valencia College in offering a program designed to prepare non-instructional school employees who want to become teachers, WMFE reports.

Taxes: Orange County voters will decide in November whether to extend the school district’s sales tax that supports construction and maintenance projects, WKMG reports. District officials said the revenue is “critical” for needed renovations.

School zones: A growing number of municipalities are adding cameras to school zones to detect speeders. Lawtey in Bradford County is among the latest to join the trend, Florida Politics reports. • Tallahassee city officials are preparing to do the same, WTXL reports.

Recognition funds: The faculty and staff of Yankeetown School, a K-8 charter in Levy County, received $1,000 bonuses after their school grade rose from D to B. They all gave the money to the school to improve outdoor sports courts for students, WCJB reports.

Diversity, equity and inclusion: Pasco Hernando State College is the latest school to eliminate its diversity department in response to state law, WUSF reports. • LGBTQ+ advocates are celebrating another win against anti-LGBTQ laws aimed at Florida schools, WMFE reports.

Construction projects: Booker High School in Sarasota unveiled its new $28 million visual and performing arts center, the Herald-Tribune reports.

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College football: The University of South Florida announced it will begin building its campus football stadium in October. • The University of West Florida unveiled plans to construct a new football stadium, after receiving a $9 million gift for the project, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.

Classical education: The Indian River County school district is seeking parent input on whether to use the classical education model at a new magnet school, TC Palm reports.

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

Before you go ... Any Lenny Kravitz fans out there? He’s got some new music.