Seeking reconsideration for suspended UF protester

The big story: As Florida universities crack down on student protesters, a civil rights organization is seeking compassion and leniency for at least one of those students.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has called on University of Florida president Ben Sasse to reverse the suspension of graduate student Keely Gliwa, who also was denied her master’s degree.

The group offers context behind Gliwa’s arrest at an April pro-Palestine rally, stating she remained after officers had ordered everyone to leave the scene because she had stopped to help another student who was suffering a panic attack.

University officials said everyone had plenty of warning that an arrest would lead to suspension.

.

Hot topics

Board ethics: Broward County School Board member Allen Zeman has accused fellow board member Torey Alston of violating state ethics laws by advocating for payments to charter schools despite Alston’s wife having a financial interest in the payments, WTVJ reports.

Book challenges: A Palm Beach County resident is asking the school board to place warning labels on three books he says contain sexual content that’s inappropriate for high school students, the Palm Beach Post reports. A school-level committee has rejected the challenges.

Early education: Forty-four states including Florida offer some form of universal prekindergarten program, but “universal” doesn’t always mean equal access for all children, Stateline.org reports. Florida has the highest participation rate at 67%.

Elections: Two Broward school board candidates left their school district jobs over questions about campaigning during work hours, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

Growth: Santa Rosa County schools are struggling to keep up with booming population growth, WEAR reports.

School leadership: MAST Academy in Miami-Dade County is getting a new principal, Islander News reports.

Security: Brevard County schools are preparing to have armed school employees as security guardians in the fall, Florida Today reports. Teachers are not to participate in the program, and the guardians will remain anonymous.

University presidents: Florida A&M University president Larry Robinson announced he would resign, leaving the effective date up to the trustees, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. Students said they would miss Robinson, WFSU reports.

From the police blotter ... A Seminole County science teacher was arrested on accusations of child molestation, WOFL reports.

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

Before you go ... Couldn’t make it to the Pensacola Beach air show this weekend? Check out these highlights from the Blue Angels.