Lake County Public Schools announced Friday it has reached a tentative agreement with the Service Employees International Union to provide a 6% pay increase for bus drivers and other school services staff.

Parents are experiencing sticker shock as they head to stores to complete their back-to-school shopping.

East Ridge Middle School in Clermont was on lockdown Thursday afternoon because someone called in a bomb threat, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies are investigating an incident at Carver Middle School in which students allegedly poked other students with needles on Tuesday, according to a Lake County Public Schools representative.

Impacts from COVID-19 has taken a toll on the hiring process, the district says.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Lake County students who’d like to switch from online learning to in person or vice versa can make the change now, according to the district. Between Sept. 8 and Monday, 1,141 students made the shift to in-person learning, bring the total enrollment number in brick-and-mortar classrooms to 24,260 students. During that same time period, Lake Live enrollment dropped by 245 from 10,071 to 9,826. Lake County Virtual School has also seen a decrease of 24 students between Sept. 14 and Monday. “Virtual learning works well for some students, but not for all,” Emily Weiskopf, assistant superintendent of teaching, learning and leadership, said in a news release.

LEESBURG, Fla. A guardian at Leesburg High School sprung into action when he a man who had jumped a fence to get onto campus, according to Lake County Public Schools. He said he took the items from his little brother because he didnt want him to get in trouble, police said. Principal Michael Randolph sent a call to members of the campus community Thursday notifying them about what happened and thanking the guardian. We also want to remind students and parents to immediately notify an adult on campus if they see or hear anything that could jeopardize campus safety, Randolph said. It takes all of us working together to keep our campus safe, Randolph said.

LEESBURG, Fla. A student enrolled in Lake Countys summer program at Leesburg Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the district. A spokesperson with Lake County Public Schools says the child tested positive for the virus on Monday. Under guidance from the department of health, school officials have asked anyone who came in close contact with the student to quarantine for 14 days. As of Wednesday, LCPS says 13 students and four staff members involved in the program have been asked to quarantine. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6s coronavirus newsletter and go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. As Florida continues to see a surge in coronavirus cases, Lake County school leaders are working to welcome students back for the 2020-2021 academic year with adjusted learning options. Lake County Public Schools has been working on details to reopen for in-person learning after the Florida Department of Education issued an executive order telling schools to physically reopen come August. Heres what you need to know about the districts back to school plan:Start date: August 10The Lake County School Board announced that classes would begin on August 10. Learning OptionsLake County Schools Reopening PlanThe district has provided three options from which parents can choose:1. Full-time online learning through Lake County Virtual School: Lake Virtual is a Lake County School with teachers, counselors, and administrators that have one goal in mind: the success of all LCS students!