Around the state: More than $130 million in refunds are unclaimed by 40,000 families whose children are enrolled in the Florida Prepaid College Plan, Florida State University gives President Richard McCullough a 10 percent raise and a $320,000 bonus, Collier’s school district and the teachers union reach a tentative contract agreement that raises starting pay to $57,000, school boards in Hernando and Indian River counties approve school budgets, and Broward school officials begin a series of community meetings to talk about potential school closings. Here are details about those stories and others from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Miami-Dade: A change in the district’s driver’s education program that was prompted by a 2021 inspector general’s investigation led to improvements in adaptive services for disabled students, allowing more of them to get a license. “I think it personalizes what we do, because you finally see how it makes a difference,” said Felix Jimenez, who oversees the Office of the Inspector General. Miami Herald.
Broward: The first of a series of meetings between district officials and the community focused on the future of underenrolled schools in the District 5 area. Specifically, discussion centered on five elementary schools — Broward Estates, Larkdale, Lauderhill Paul Turner, MLK Montessori Academy and Westwood Heights — that could be targeted for closing or repurposing. Superintendent Howard Hepburn will make a recommendation for changes to the school board in November. WFOR.
Brevard: A district school bus driver was arrested Monday and accused of pushing a 12-year-old student onto a bus seat and then putting his hands around the boy’s neck. Melbourne police said William Green, 59, was charged with child abuse without great bodily harm. District spokeswoman Janet Murnaghan said, “We have begun an investigative process. He will not be around students until that is complete.” WFTV. WESH. Florida Today.
Seminole: The district is beginning the process of building a $24 million replacement for Lake Mary Elementary School. Work begins next summer with the placement of portable classrooms. Then a new two-story building will go up, followed by the renovation of one of the eight existing buildings and the demolition of the rest. Construction is scheduled to end by the summer of 2026. The school has more than 925 students this year. Orlando Business Journal.
Volusia: School board members signaled their approval last week for rezoning two elementary schools to help fill the new Edith I. Starke Elementary, which is scheduled to open next August. Freedom Elementary will send 133 students to Starke, and Woodward 74. The board also gave its initial approval to the proposed state assessments calendar. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Collier: A tentative contract agreement has been reached between the school district and the union representing teachers. District officials committed to a $24 million increase in overall compensation, which is an increase of 11.65 percent. Starting salaries were boosted to $57,000, and veteran teachers will see increases of up to $7,000. The deal has to be ratified by union members and approved by the school board. WINK. WFTX.
Escambia: New charges of child pornography possession and video voyeurism have been filed against former Pensacola High School assistant principal Sean Roby, who was first arrested Aug. 14 for allegedly videotaping a 17-year-old undressing nearly five years ago and subsequently suspended by the district. If he’s convicted of all charges, Roby faces up to 390 years in prison. Pensacola News Journal. WEAR.
Leon: For the past three years, district officials have chosen not to pay the city of Tallahassee for fire and stormwater services that have billed at nearly $3 million. Superintendent Rocky Hanna cited legal precedent that the school board is exempt and said, “One of the major responsibilities I have is to protect the financial interests of the district. I think it would be irresponsible of me to be committing up to $1 million or more a year to fund a program we’re not required to pay.” Tallahassee Democrat. A 16-year-old Godby High School student was arrested Monday and accused of having a stun gun on campus. The boy told deputies it was his mother’s, and he had it for protection. WTXL. A Leon High School student was arrested Monday and accused of making threats against a classmate. WCTV.
Alachua: District officials are adopting a new emergency notification software system, called Raptor. Using the app, school staff and students can report emergencies directly to 911. WUFT.
Hernando: A $501.5 million budget was approved by school board members last week. That represents an increase of $18.7 million over last year’s spending. The final millage rate declined, but higher property values and new construction pushed the total tax roll up 7.26 percent to yield more revenue. Suncoast News.
Indian River: School board members have approved a $234 million budget that includes a lower property tax rate but increased revenue because of higher valuations and new construction. About 65 percent of the budget goes for salaries, benefits and personnel costs, said chief financial officer Bruce Green. TCPalm.
Columbia: Metal detectors have been installed at Fort White Middle-High School, a week after two students were arrested and accused of making threats against the district. School officials said the detectors had been ordered before last week’s threats. WCJB.
Dixie: The school district will use a federal rebate of $9 million to help buy 23 electric school buses next month. They will join the 11 electric buses the district already has. Fourteen of the district’s 37 diesel buses will be kept and used for field trips and other special events. WUFT.
Colleges and universities: Florida State University President Richard McCullough received an “exceeds expectations” evaluation from trustees last week and will get a 10 percent raise, to $1.1 million a year. McCullough also will get a bonus of $320,000. Tallahassee Democrat. Florida A&M University trustees are meeting Friday to vote on hiring Angela Suggs, an FAMU grad and former associate athletics director, as the school’s new vice president and athletic director. She’d receive a three-year, $750,000 contract. WFSU. Tallahassee Democrat. A survey of Florida university professors indicates that 39 percent have applied for jobs in other states because of new state government limits on tenure and academic freedom. Florida Phoenix.
Florida Prepaid refunds: More than $130 million in refunds are still unclaimed by about 40,000 families who have enrolled their children in the Florida Prepaid College Plan, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday. Lower anticipated tuition costs and fees meant more money was collected than required from participants, and the state has been offering refunds. About $850 million has been refunded so far. Florida Phoenix. Central Florida Public Media.
Partisan school boards: A Republican push to add party labels to local school board candidates in elections starting in 2026 will go before voters Nov. 5 as an amendment to the state constitution. Supporters contend the measure would give voters greater clarity about their voting choices. Opponents say they worry that it will put the focus on partisan issues instead of sound education policy for students. It will need to be approved by 60 percent of voters to be added to the constitution. Politico Florida.
Teaching in Florida: Exit interviews around the state with teachers who recently resigned mention pay, retirement, relocating, unruly students, unwillingness to teach to required standardized tests, parents who delegate everything, and more as their primary reasons for leaving. “This is a sad career to be in,” said a former Palm Beach County teacher. WFTS. Florida ranks as the 8th-best state for teachers, according to ranking by the personal finance company WalletHub. Florida was ranked 9th on average starting salary for teachers (adjusted for cost of living), 11th in quality of school system, 20th for teachers’ income growth potential, 6th for projected competition in 2030, and 1st in existence of a digital learning plan. USA Today Florida Network.
School threats continue: The number of threats being made against school districts in Florida and across the country has surged since a shooting at a Winder, Ga., high school killed four people Sept. 4. Hillsborough. Brevard. Volusia. Manatee. Collier. St. Johns. Escambia. Okaloosa. Leon. Flagler. Putnam. Franklin. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said he’s fed up with false threats from young students and is posting their mugshots on social media and “perp-walking” them. Daytona Beach News-Journal. Associated Press.
Opinions on schools: Government social engineering will always be part of the public education market. But going forward, this social engineering will be tempered by greater parental control over their children’s education. Doug Tuthill, NextSteps.
