Around the state: Manatee's school board chooses a district administrator as the new superintendent, more districts are reporting drops in public school enrollment, Brevard school board members are considering easing an electronics ban for high school students, and a national Bible study program could soon be offering Duval students religious classes during school hours. Here are details about those stories and others from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Miami-Dade: Unofficial student enrollment losses now stand at more than 22,000 so far this school year, school board member Steve Gallon said Tuesday. District officials had no comment, saying they would speak once enrollment stabilizes in September and October. Gallon said factors for the decline could include the continuing exodus of students receiving state scholarships to attend private schools, some parents refusing to send their children to school because of the nation's immigrant crackdown, and a decline in economic conditions. Miami Herald.
Broward: Superintendent Howard Hepburn addressed concerns about potential school closings during Tuesday's school board meeting. Thirty-four schools are on a list under consideration for closure or consolidation, but Hepburn said changes could include new grade configurations, adding programs, changing boundaries and partnering with community organizations to use portions of campuses. He vowed the district "will be transparent in every step of the way." Sun Sentinel. WTVJ. A longtime math teacher in the school district was arrested Monday and faces six child sexual battery charges. Police said Basil Farrington, 47, committed the assaults on a student under the age of 18 at Boyd Anderson High School between 2011 and 2013. Farrington has been a grants facilitator since 2020 but is now barred from school grounds. WPLG. WFOR. WTVJ.
Hillsborough: Public speakers at Tuesday's school board meeting were critical of school officials' "capitulation" to state officials' demands to remove books with sexual content without following the district's review protocol. "I’m surprised you didn’t ask the commissioner of education if you want fries with that when he commanded you to remove Trans Mission by Alex Bertie," said parent Rachel Doyle. Tampa Bay Times. A new technical college in Plant City has been named after a former Plant City mayor and entrepreneur. Rick Lott Technical College will have courses in heating and air conditioning, welding technology, forklift certification, building construction and industrial electricity. It opens later this fall to adults and in January to high school students. Tampa Bay Times.
Orange: Speed detection cameras will be placed in 12 school zones in 2026, county commissioners decided Tuesday. The zones were selected after a study showed at least 20% of the drivers speeding through them. WFTV. Donations are being collected by parents of children at Water Spring Elementary School in Winter Garden to buy a car for school crossing guard Kathie McDaniel. Parent Kristen Zawada, who launched the initiative with her husband Steve, said McDaniel is "a joy to talk to" and has a positive impact on every student she meets. Orlando Sentinel.
Palm Beach: A new elementary school is being planned in the fast-growing community of Westlake. The school is expected to cost $42.9 million and open in August 2027 for as many as 970 students. Palm Beach Post.
Duval: A national Bible study program based in Ohio could soon be offering students religious classes during school hours. LifeWise Academy is privately funded and holds classes off school property for students who have parental permission. State law allows students to be released to attend religious courses during non-instructional times. WJXT. WJAX.
Brevard: School board members are considering easing the district's policy on students' use of electronics during school after getting critical backlash from parents and students. Earlier this month, the board banned cell phone use in school for all students. That prohibition would remain under the policy proposal, but high school students would have access to certain electronic devices at the discretion of their teachers or administrators. Florida Today.
Osceola: A former charter school is being converted into a school for students with intense behavioral needs. The P.M. Wells charter school closed after the last school year, and district officials decided to convert the building so they wouldn't have to send students out of the district for their specialized care. It's opening in phases, with only one wing being used now for 31 students. WFTV.
Volusia, Flagler: NASCAR driver Erik "EJ" Jones has partnered with the Global Vending Group to provide Inchy the Book Worm vending machines to schools in Volusia, Flagler and elsewhere in the country, and with AdventHealth to keep the machines stocked. Flagler Live. Ormond Beach police say Riverbend Academy is under investigation after allegations of abuse and inappropriate behavior were made against it and the Riverbend Community Church where it's located. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Manatee: Laurie Breslin, the executive director of student support and family engagement for the school district, was chosen as the new superintendent in a unanimous vote Tuesday by the school board. She replaces Jason Wysong, who was fired in May, and becomes the district's fifth superintendent in the past 12 years. WWSB. WUSF. Spectrum News 9. WFLA. WTVT. WFTS. A district drivers education teacher has been arrested and accused of tampering with evidence in a DUI manslaughter case. Robert Viera, 52, was a passenger in a car that struck a motorcycle, killing the passenger. Police say a video shows Viera collecting items from the car and discarding them behind a nearby building after the crash. Bradenton Herald. WFLA.
Leon: A 17-year-old with a fully automated handgun was arrested outside the Rickards-Godby high school football game at Gene Cox Stadium last weekend, according to police. It was the district's fourth weapons-related arrest on school properties since classes began Aug. 11. Tallahassee Democrat. WTXL.
Bay: Public school enrollment in the district is down by 471 students so far this school year, according to district officials. Last year's count was 21,690; that has declined to 21,219. WMBB.
Wakulla: District officials have added three trained guardians through the state program that was enacted after the 2018 shooting that killed 17 at a Broward County school. Wakulla now has eight armed guardians to help protect schools and students. WTXL. Wakulla County School District.
Vaping in schools: Tobacco-related incidents have surged in Florida schools in recent years, and most now involve vaping, according to an analysis of state and district data. Reported incidents have totaled about 25,000 or more in each of the past three school years, compared to the previous high of 17,926 in the 2018-2019 school year. Tampa Bay Times.
School rankings: How did Florida high schools and colleges do in recent rankings by media organizations? U.S. News & World Report. Forbes. USA Today Florida Network.
Around the nation: President Trump's announcement that up to 600,000 Chinese students could be permitted to attend American universities is drawing criticism from other Republicans. The total is nearly double the number of Chinese students who studied at U.S. schools during the 2023-2024 school year. Associated Press. The Trump administration's crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives could cause issues for school districts in many states, including Florida, that have programs to recruit minority teachers and plans to add black history classes. New York Times.
Opinions on schools: The Indian River County School District partners with several nonprofits to focus on the science of reading for preschoolers, and it's paying off as one elementary school achieved the ambitious goal of 90% of students reading on grade level by the end of 3rd grade. Barbara Hammond, The 74. Patronage college presidents, once rare in the Florida higher education system, have become routine under Gov. Ron DeSantis. Sun Sentinel.
