Around the state: School is back in session for most of Florida’s 67 counties, with some significant changes coming to districts, a tax fight continues in Hillsborough and there’s an update on adjunct professor unions. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Broward: Long lines were seen across several high schools in Broward as students and staff adjusted to their new normal. WSVN.
Hillsborough: A Hillsborough judge again ruled that a referendum to ask voters to consider a property tax to pay for teachers should appear on the Nov. 5 ballot after the Hillsborough County Commission voted to delay the measure for two years. Judge Emily Peacock ruled on Monday in the school district’s favor, but a lawyer for the County Commission filed an emergency motion asking an appeals court to reverse Peacock’s decision. Tampa Bay Times.
Palm Beach: Students here returned to school on Monday. “This is the best day of the school year. Always,” said Dr. Allison Castellano, the principal of Spanish River Community High School in Boca Raton. Superintendent Mike Burke said the district thinks Spanish River achieved a significant goal: A 100% graduation rate during last school year. Meanwhile, Palm Beach schools started the year on Monday with metal detectors on every high school campus after a pilot program last year. Leaders in Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties said they are exploring the option but don’t have metal detectors on their campuses currently. WPTV.
Martin: The new school year here included a new athletic center at South Fork High. The athletic center at South Fork High School is a $27 million, 50,000-square-foot facility. Money for the project was provided by the half-cent sales tax referendum that passed in 2018. WFTS.
Central Florida: As schools around Central Florida re-open their doors for students and staff, one school in Seminole celebrating a milestone: Lyman High in Longwood is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Meanwhile, public school students in Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Osceola, Orange, Polk, Seminole and Volusia counties were expected back in school on Monday, while Sumter County Public Schools return on Wednesday. Drivers are being asked to exercise caution around school buses, with some school zones utilizing speed enforcement cameras. In addition, a gun-sniffing dog named Coco also headed to school for her second year on the job in Orange county. WFTV. WESH. Orlando Sentinel.
Tampa Bay: More than 430,000 students were expected Monday in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. There were celebrations in new buildings and struggles to keep air conditioning systems going in others. In Wesley Chapel, thousands lined up for the opening of Kirkland Ranch K-8, which is a magnet school that serves 1,200 students with a focus on entrepreneurship and Spanish language. Tampa Bay Times.
Superintendents: In Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, superintendents sat down to talk about the new school year. WEAR.
Private school vouchers soar: Ahead of the 2024-25 school year, some families are part of the growing number who are receiving taxpayer-funded scholarships to attend the private school of their choosing. Miami Herald.
Start times: Although they don’t have to be implemented until 2026, some schools have already started later start times for middle and high schools. Others are still collecting feedback from parents and teachers. Start times statewide will eventually all have to be pushed back to 8:30 a.m. for high schoolers and 8 a.m. for middle schoolers. “It’s so exciting to see the smiles,” Pinellas Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said. “The first day of school. Kids get to meet their teachers and get to see their friends.” Politico.
Back-to-school jitters: A new school year can bring changes for kids and their caregivers. To ease the transition as summer closes, there’s a plethora of tips being offered by child development experts and pediatricians, from goodbye rituals to handling challenging situations. NPR.
Colleges and universities: All eight unions representing adjunct professors at public institutions in the state of Florida have been decertified in accordance with a new state law, affecting more than 8,000 faculty members. The adjunct unions were all established within the past five years. The eight unions represented adjunct professors: Broward College, Hillsborough Community College, Miami Dade College, Seminole State College, St. Petersburg College, University of South Florida, Lake-Sumter State College and Valencia College. Inside Higher Ed.
