Around the state: A bill is introduced in the Legislature that’s intended to spark a “rural renaissance” in education and more, bills banning political flags in schools and changing how the state deals with financial claims against school boards are approved by committees, a charter school in Hendry County sends out an alert to parents warning them that immigration officials are in the area, Escambia voters may be asked in 2026 if they want to have an elected or appointed superintendent, and Seminole County schools honor their teacher and support employees of the year. Here are details about those stories and others from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Hillsborough: A Tampa charter school has closed after several years of financial problems and declining enrollment. In January, Village of Excellence Academy started what it called an urgent campaign to raise $300,000. On Jan. 24, the school closed. It received F grades from the state in 2022 and 2023 and a D in 204, and its enrollment had dwindled from 230 to 78. Tampa Bay Times.
Lee: An instructional support staffer at Island Coast High School in Cape Coral was recently arrested and accused of a sexual offense involving an authority figure soliciting or engaging in lewd conduct with a student. Police said Genesis Zayas, 23, and a student exchanged nude photos and suggestive text messages. Zayas has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. Fort Myers News-Press.
Brevard: The flu is sweeping through district schools, a reflection of what’s happening in K-12 schools around the country. The spread of the flu is at the highest level since 2009 in Florida and elsewhere, according to health experts. Florida Today.
Seminole: Bailey Hocker, a special education teacher at the Endeavor School in Lake Mary, has been chosen as the school district’s teacher of the year. Also honored was employee of the year Karla Romanik, a paraprofessional at Bentley Elementary School. Seminole County School District. Orlando Sentinel.
Sarasota: Three charter schools had their contracts renewed this week by the school board. Sarasota Military Academy and Island Village Montessori were both extended for 15 years, and the dual-language Dreamer’s Academy will expand its K-5 school through the 8th grade. Officials also noted that the district spent $1.6 million on charter schools instead of the budgeted $1.2 million, and deputy superintendent Rachel O’Dea said that number is expected to go up again next year. Charlotte Sun.
Escambia: School board members voted 3-2 this week for a resolution to ask voters if they want to the school superintendent to be elected or appointed. The district moved to an appointed superintendent in 2018 and subsequently hired Tim Smith, who was fired in 2023 and replaced by Keith Leonard. But Leonard plans to retire in 2027 or 2028, and the resolution calls for voters to decide its preference in the August 2026 primary election. If it’s approved, a superintendent would be elected in November 2028. Pensacola News Journal.
Leon: Tallahassee city officials and school Superintendent Rocky Hanna continued their war of words over the city’s demand that the district pay about $2.3 million in back fire protection fees within 60 days or lose its discount on utility fees. Hanna pointed out that even after the district stopped paying for the fire service fee, the city continued granting the utility fee discount for four years. “So four years later you’re going to send me this letter?” Hanna asked. “Come on, really?” Tallahassee Democrat.
Alachua: A decision about a 2025-2026 academic calendar for Rawlings Elementary School has been delayed while school board members discuss how the year-round schooling pilot program has worked. Enrollment at Rawlings has dropped by 108 students since the test began, and board members want to consider their options. Mainstreet Daily News. Parents peppered the school board at this week’s meeting with their fears over immigration raids being conducted at schools, and asked the district to revise the just-released policy that calls for compliance with federal officials. Other concerns voiced at the meeting were about raises for teachers and other school employees and the technology needs of students. Gainesville Sun.
Hendry: A charter school sent a text message to parents of its students Wednesday warning them that agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement were in southwest Florida. The message from RCMA Immokalee Community Academy read, in part, “ICE is expected to be in Immokalee, Labelle, Lehigh and Ft. Myers … Remember to practice your 5th Amendment as you have the right to remain silent.” WFTX.
Wakulla: A COAST Charter School for the Arts bus was struck by a car Wednesday, sending a 10-year-old student to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries. Twenty-two children were on the bus, which was stopped, when a car ran into the back of another car that then rammed the bus. WCJB.
Rural-boosting bill: A “rural renaissance” bill intended to improve health care, education, roads and economic development in 31 counties was released Wednesday. It was promised by Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and is sponsored by Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee. Among its provisions are incentives for teachers to work in rural areas, including offering them $15,000 in student loan help, and helping rural school districts with facility projects. News Service of Florida. Florida Politics.
Lawsuit limits bill: A bill that would change the way the state deals with financial claims against school boards and other government agencies cleared the House Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee on Wednesday. The current payment caps of $200,000 to an individual or $300,000 overall have been in place since 2010, and if a jury awards a higher payment the victim must ask the Legislature to approve the difference. Politico Florida. News Service of Florida. Florida Phoenix. Florida Politics.
Also in the Legislature: The bill that would ban political flags at schools and other public buildings cleared its first stop this week with approval from the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee. Florida Politics. Bills recently filed for the 60-day legislative session that begins March 4 include: HB 571, which would give students 16 or older the opportunity to meet during school career fairs with companies that offer paid work experiences; HB 573, which could allow people with certain previously disqualifying criminal offenses from at least 20 years ago from obtaining educator certification or a job that requires direct contact with students; and HB 581, which would revise how schools calculate bonuses for teachers based on their students’ International Baccalaureate test scores. WKMG.
Scholarship applications: Two weeks into the application window for state K-12 scholarships, more than 300,000 applications have been received. Families of students currently receiving scholarships have until April 30 to renew. This year, more than 500,000 students are using a state scholarship. NextSteps.
Around the nation: Florida is among 17 states suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over an agency rule that included gender dysphoria in the definition of a disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and is asking the court to declare Section 504 unconstitutional. K-12 Dive.
Opinions on schools: If schools are going to ban cell phones, they should not make teachers enforce the ban. Nicholas Bradford, Education Week. The law denying in-state college tuition waivers for undocumented students is cruelty for cruelty’s sake. Thomas Kennedy, Sun Sentinel.
