One day after Florida approved NIL for high schoolers, a test
Tampa Bay Times | By Jeffrey S. Solochek | June 6, 2024
The big story: It’s only been one day since the FHSAA decided to allow student-athletes to benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness. Some folks just couldn’t wait to get started.
Almost immediately after the vote, which still requires state approval, two students — one from Jacksonville and another from Orlando — had inked endorsement deals with American Eagle Outfitters.
Debate quickly arose over whether the agreements were legal.
The idea of NIL has some top prospects excited about the possibilities, WKMG reports. Questions remain over whether paying student-athletes is a good idea, the Miami Herald reports.
Hot topics
Coach controversy: Supporters of former Plant High cross country coach Roy Harrison pressed the Hillsborough County School Board for answers as to why Harrison was dismissed from his post without explanation.
Employee discipline: A Broward County school district committee called for a 10-day suspension for an employee who allowed her transgender child to play on a high school volleyball team. The superintendent recommended dismissal, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
Literacy lessons: Brevard County schools are preparing to implement new “science of reading” curriculum to improve K-3 literacy achievement, Florida Today reports.
Phones on campus: Martin County School Board members debated methods for having students store their cellphones during classes, WPEC reports.
Public comment: The Sarasota County School Board reversed course on its rules governing public comment during meetings, saying it wants to focus on district business first, the Herald-Tribune reports.
School closures: Even as the Duval County school district considers closing under-capacity campuses, it is moving portables to other schools to alleviate crowding, the Florida Times-Union reports.
School leadership: Some Alachua County residents raised concerns that certain schools are seeing too much turnover in the principal’s office, MainStreet Daily News reports.
Student discipline: The Orange County school district is joining with law enforcement and the judicial system to find ways to reduce arrests of students accused of offenses that don’t threaten anyone’s safety, WMFE reports.
Teacher pay: The Lee County School Board almost didn’t approve an agreement to give teacher raises, WINK reports.
Teacher shortages: Orange County schools have been hiring teachers from abroad to fill vacant positions, Spectrum 13 reports. • School districts across the Tampa Bay area are getting “creative” to recruit more teachers in a shrinking field of candidates, WTSP reports.
That’s a wrap: Dan Finora, 90, is retiring after 65 years as a guidance counselor at Coral Gables High in Miami-Dade County, the Miami Herald reports.
From the court docket … An Alachua County family is alleging the baseball coach at a local high school engaged in sexual misconduct with a student, WCJB reports.
In higher ed
USF: The University of South Florida’s golf course closed last year after running deficits. Now officials are talking about transforming the site into a housing and entertainment district. • USF will be the new home of the Global Virus Network.
FIU: Florida International University is working to get students in STEM fields to become middle and high school teachers, WLRN reports.
Pandemic fees lawsuit: The Florida Supreme Court considered a case over whether a University of Florida student may seek a refund of payments made to the school for services that were not provided during the pandemic, News Service of Florida reports.
