Florida Department of Education

Districts across Tampa Bay are waiting for publishers to navigate the appeals process so they can place book orders as soon as possible.

The Hialeah Republican has served in the Florida Legislature since 2012.

Soon-to-be Education Commissioner Manny Diaz is a staunch supporter of school choice, which he says is falsely equated as being against public schools.

DeSantis cites Diaz's efforts to help pass several education reforms since he became governor in 2019.

The textbooks need to be ordered as soon as possible to have them in time for teacher training, said one Manatee County official.

The books were listed because they included “prohibited topics” or were inconsistent with state standards, according to the Florida Department of Education.

The rejected books make up a record 41% of the 132 books submitted for review, the Florida Department of Education said in a statement.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, the State Board of Education, the state Department of Education and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran are named as defendants, along with the school boards in Manatee, Sarasota, Miami-Dade, St. Johns and Jackson counties.

The bill requires school districts to allow parents to have input in selecting library books and other instructional materials.

Superintendent Cynthia Saunders reached a settlement earlier this month with the state.

Saunders will pay a $2,000 fine to the Education Practices Commission, have a letter of reprimand placed in her file, and take courses on ethics.

The governor says initiatives will include reading coaches, STEM and math acceleration programs, parent mentorship training and mental health resources.