Around the state: A cellphone ban will begin at Florida elementary and middle schools after a bill was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, appointments continue regarding university presidents, teacher pay is being debated in Lee and a protest occurred at Florida International University. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Lee: Contract negotiations between the school district of Lee and its employee unions are at a standstill, with educators uncertain about raises and working conditions. At issue is compensation for teachers. Staff and union leaders say the district’s current offer does not reflect the rising cost of living in southwest Florida. Aug. 19 is the next bargaining session. Fort Myers News-Press.
Education bills: House Bill 1105 prohibits elementary and middle school students from using wireless communications devices during the entire school day, not just during instructional time as previously required. The bill requires district school boards to adopt rules for governing when and where students can use cellphones. The bill, which was approved by the Legislature on May 2, revises a law that has prevented students from using cellphones during instructional time. In addition, the legislation creates a pilot program requiring the Department of Education to select six counties of varying sizes to implement a full cell phone ban policy in high schools during the 2025-2026 school year. The department must report findings on student achievement and behavior to state lawmakers by December 2026.Fox 4 Now. WUWF. Tallahassee Democrat. WUSF. Meanwhile, another bill the governor signed the same day, HB 443, allows charter schools to create their own codes of conduct or adapt them from other schools. Also, the certificate of completion option is eliminated for high school students and marching band is allowed as a substitute for the physical education high school graduation requirement. Tampa Bay Times. WKMG.
Legislative update: State legislative leaders said they have forged a budget deal that will guarantee $2.25 billion shifted into tax cuts and reserves while also establishing a path for legislators to avoid a potential shutdown of state government. Politico. Meanwhile, a pay raise for state workers is still in play as state lawmakers return to the Capitol this week to work on a state budget. Under an agreement the Senate and House reached on May 31, some 112,000 state employees would receive a 2% salary increase with a minimum raise of $1,000. Lawmakers will start meeting in conference committees today and expect to pass a budget by June 16. The fiscal year will start on July 1, giving Gov. Ron DeSantis two weeks to use his line-item veto authority. Tallahassee Democrat. WUSF.
Summer work: About 47% of people between 16 and 24 in Florida have a job, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. But how old does a child need to be to work in Florida this summer? Florida Today.
New laws: Over 60 new laws go into effect on July 1 in Florida. They range from expanded eligibility for the Bright Futures scholarship program to HB 549, which requires instructional materials in public schools reflect the new federal designation of “Gulf of America.” WKMG.
Grants for schools: A total of $100,000 in funding is being offered to educators, non-profits and organizations serving students in grades K-12 from the McDonald’s Golden Grants program. In its fifth year, the program has awarded $400,000 since its inception. Applications are open through Oct. 10. “Supporting students and educators is vital for the future of our communities,” said a spokesperson for the McDonald’s Central Florida Operators Association. “Golden Grants allows us to give back to the educators and programs that are making a real difference every day.” WFLA.
Colleges and universities: Students at FIU protested the school’s partnership with ICE as the board met to select a new president. CBS News. Meanwhile, the FIU Board of Trustees on Monday unanimously approved appointing former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez as the university’s president. Nuñez has served as interim president since February. The appointment remains subject to approval by the state university system’s Board of Governors. The university system’s Board of Governors on Tuesday is expected to consider the appointment of former University of Michigan President Santa Ono to become president of the University of Florida, while the University of West Florida Board of Trustees last week chose state Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., a DeSantis ally, to serve as the Pensacola school’s interim president. Meanwhile, the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees chose corporate executive Marva Johnson to become the school’s president last month, while University of South Florida President Rhea Law announced plans to resign. Former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner was selected in February to serve as president of Florida Atlantic University. WUWF. Tampa Bay Times.
Opinions on schools: Florida’s public schools are facing significant challenges related to school closures, enrollment decreases and funding shortfalls. Schools across the country are facing similar woes, the result of lower student enrollment due to declining birth rates coupled with federal pandemic funding coming to an end. Jeb Bush Jr., Miami Herald. By bringing together schools, universities, healthcare providers, and community organizations under long-term agreements, we’re creating integrated support systems that address both academic and non-academic barriers to success. Andry Sweet, Pensacola News-Journal. The Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System under a constitutional amendment passed in 2002, faces an unprecedented situation as it makes a decision on whether to ratify the University of Florida’s choice of Santa Ono as the school’s new president. Mike Sanderson, Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
