school boards

Local school boards have been under fire, most recently, over backlash to efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, many boards were facing criticism on policies regarding LGBTQ students, transgender bathrooms, and the classic textbook battles. Now, an effort to return those school board elections to partisan races is back—with a powerful sponsor.

The federal government recently announced it would investigate threats against local school board members. The announcement comes amid growing acrimony between parental groups and public school leaders over issues like face masks and critical race theory. Yet, where some see a threat—others see an exercise of free speech.

Bills filed in the Florida House and Senate would give voters a say in whether to turn school board elections into partisan contests.

A plan to term limit local school board members is still moving in the House following an affirmative vote in the chamber’s Education and Employment Committee Thursday. The measure has undergone changes, but that may not be enough to get it to the finish line.

Florida lawmakers are trying again to limit the salaries of local school board members. The idea is one that’s been tried before. Now a proposed constitutional amendment would ask voters to decide whether to keep paying locally elected officials who oversee the state’s public schools.

Most elected officials in Florida have term limits. That includes the Governor, members of the House and Senate and the state’s Congressional Delegation.…

Democratic state Senator Lauren Book’s move to seek term limits for local school board members is a change from her previous position on the issue.Book…

A push to term limit local school board members has gained a powerful Democrat: State Sen. Lauren Book. She's filed a constitutional amendment proposal to…