Around the state: Homeschooling is exploding across the state and bursting into the mainstream, with the number of Florida homeschoolers tripling over the past two decades. One longtime homeschool mom describes how the landscape shifted in that timeframe: “The options out there are endless,” she said. “It went from nothing to overwhelming.” Families describe diverse motivations, but one common theme: They want their children to learn in a safe environment aligned with their values. Tampa Bay Times.
The state’s back to school sales tax holiday wraps up this weekend. Florida Times-Union.
Hillsborough: The legal feud over a teacher pay tax referendum between the Hillsborough County Commission and Hillsborough County School Board is continuing to an appeal. Both government entities had been battling over when to schedule a vote on a property tax increase that school officials say would help them offer more competitive teacher salaries. Last Friday, a judge ruled the commission could not delay the referendum to the 2026 ballot. The commission voted 4-3 to appeal the court order. Commissioner Joshua Wostal, who put forward the original motion to delay the referendum, took issue with the judge’s order. “She has essentially told seven elected officials how to vote,” Wostal said. “Although I’m not a lawyer, I have read the constitution, and this instinctively seems to clearly violate the separation of powers doctrine.” The order itself said the county commission didn’t have discretion over when to schedule the vote. WFLA. WTSP.
Escambia: A former Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy terminated over child abuse allegations is accused of beating and choking one child and failing to provide proper education and dental care to multiple children in his household. The ECSO promptly fired Christopher Turney, 40, from his position as a sheriff’s deputy following his arrest Saturday for one count of child abuse, two counts of child neglect and two counts of failing to require school attendance, according to the Office of the State Attorney. The report also says the child has not received any formal education since entering the household in 2017. Another child in the home told law enforcement investigators on July 30 that they are homeschooled and work on school assignments approximately one to two hours per day. Both children and Christopher Turney say Leandra Turney, 39, is responsible for overseeing their homeschooling, but they said she’s frequently out of town on business. One child said she is not sure which grade level she’s in. According to jail records, Leandra Turney is also charged with failing to require school attendance and child neglect. She was released Sunday on bond. Pensacola News Journal.
Sarasota: School breakfasts and lunches are going to cost more this year in Sarasota County. The increase accounts for rising supply-chain costs and accommodates losses of federal COVID-19 funding. The district anticipates $770,000 in additional revenues from the increase, according to district figures. Breakfast prices will rise from $1.50 in elementary schools and $2 in middle and high schools to $2.25 across all grade levels. Lunch prices will increase from $2.75 in elementary schools, $3 in middle school and $3.25 in high school to $3.25 in elementary school and $3.75 in middle and high schools. Herald-Tribune.
Alachua: The Alachua County School Board finalized its code of conduct at the board meeting on Tuesday. MainStDailyNews.
Hernando: A teacher at Deltona Elementary School has been arrested on charges he communicated with a 14-year-old student on a dating app. According to a sheriff’s report, the student told authorities that Michael Ronald Iannaccone, 47, had communicated about sex acts he liked and would teach the student. Using the student’s account, deputies took over online conversations with Iannaccone, where he discussed various sex acts. According to deputies, some of these conversations happened while Iannaccone was working at the elementary school. Iannaccone is charged with transmission of material harmful to a minor by electronic device or equipment and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Hernando Sun.
Palm Beach area: Two superintendents talk about how they plan to lean into AI. In Okeechobee County, Superintendent Dylan Tedders said they’re launching a career and technical program focused on AI. The School District of Palm Beach County is expanding its use of ai-powered Khanmigo tutors created by Khan Academy. “We’re rolling out Khanmigo in a big way to all our middle and high schools,” Superintendent Michael Burke said. WPTV.
Martin: When students head back to school next week at South Fork High School in Martin County, they’re going to see new places to thrive both academically and athletically. At the end of Bulldog Way, finishing touches are being made to a new athletic facility. WPTV.
Orange: With only days before the new school year, two schools in Orange County may not be ready for the first day of classes on Monday. Orange County Public Schools is reviewing contingency plans due to construction delays at Howard Middle School and Luminary Middle School. News 6
Osceola: Students are prepping for the new school year while Central Florida districts work to staff campuses. Osceola County has 3% of its workforce left to recruit. WESH.
Flagler: Brendan Depa, the severely autistic Florida teen whose assault on teacher’s aide Joan Naydich went viral last year, was sentenced on Tuesday to five years in state prison followed by 15 years of probation. In imposing the sentence in Flagler County Court, Circuit Judge Terrence Perkins said that while he was conscious of Depa’s disabilities, the teenager’s Feb. 21, 2023 attack, which left Naydich with broken ribs, was senselessly violent in a “very troubling way.” The case raised concerns among parents with special needs children, who said they fear it will set a harsh precedent for teenagers with autism who struggle to regulate their behavior. Miami Herald.
St. Johns: Crews begin clearing land for St. Johns County’s newest K-8 charter school; some residents have traffic concerns. News4Jax.
Leon: Walmart and Whole Child Leon team up on a back-to-school event. Tallahassee Democrat.
Colleges and universities: Mandated by state law, South Florida’s institutions of higher learning are working to project influence into Latin America. Miami Herald.
One in five tenured professors at the University of Florida who were evaluated in the first round of state-mandated tenure reviews didn’t pass muster. The recently released results show that About 21% of 258 UF professors reviewed either received that notice, gave up tenure to become full-time teachers or quit, officials told Inside Higher Ed. The Republican-led initiative, which has faced court challenge, requires that instructors who get the lowest rating “receive a notice of termination.” None of the other state colleges reported numbers nearly that high. Florida State University reported that none of the professors who were reviewed received ratings requiring termination. Inside Higher Ed.
A union representing public university professors and its chapters at Florida State University and the University of Florida filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against the state law banning arbitration of their employment disputes. At issue is a provision in SB 266, a law Gov. Ron DeSantis signed in 2023, that eliminates arbitration through unions in disputes about tenure, terminations, and promotions. The 31-page complaint alleges UF fired a tenured professor on medical leave in January. When the UF union chapter tried to intervene, a university official said the decision wasn’t up for arbitration and was final, according to the suit. The plaintiff, United Faculty of Florida, filed another suit over SB 266 in state court against New College last year. Florida Phoenix.
Around the nation: A Texas middle school is banning students from wearing all-black clothing because school officials say it’s associated with mental health issues. Students at Charles Middle School in El Paso, Texas, headed back to school Monday, days after a letter from Principal Nick DeSantis outlined the school’s new dress code policy. The letter says the school is eliminating all-black clothing because it is “associated with depression and mental health issues and/or criminality.” Some students and parents have opposed it, saying choice of clothing colors is not necessarily related to the state of someone’s mental health. WCJB.
