Around the state: New principals are taking over in Tampa Bay, questions have arisen about the future of Fort Myers Beach Elementary after damage by Hurricane Milton, budget talks continue and a new education commissioner has been named. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Hillsborough: Ten new principals were approved this week by the Hillsborough County School Board. Tampa Bay Times.
Lee: Fort Myers Beach Elementary remains closed after Hurricane Milton damaged it a year ago. No clear resolution is in sight despite discussions about the future of the school. Ideas include converting it into a charter school to rebuilding the structure to withstand future storms. WINK.
Pasco: New principals are taking the helm at five schools in this county. Mark Feldman will become Pasco High's next leader. Meighan Melsheimer will now lead Wesley Chapel Elementary. Rick Saylor will transfer to Chester Taylor Elementary. Gulfside Elementary will be run by Tammy Berryhill. And New River Elementary will have Kelly Wisneski take over as principal. The district announced new leaders in late May at Gulf High and Wiregrass Ranch High. Tampa Bay Times.
Okaloosa: A Destin Middle School student has earned first place in the 2025 National Civics Bee and is headed to the national finals. Eighth-grader Noah Finkler began his Civics journey in early March at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural National Civics Bee, which earned him a $500 prize and a trophy. That led him to win as Florida Champion of the 2025 bee. “This is an incredible achievement for Noah, and we couldn’t be prouder,” said Okaloosa County Schools Superintendent Marcus Chambers. WKRG.
Alachua: Officials in this school district are not taking action on a contract with Newberry Charter School. School board members unanimously voted on Tuesday to table the contract after some members expressed concerns that they did not have enough time to review it. WCJB.
Flagler: A policy change in this district would eliminate the 90% capacity cap for school choice. Superintendent LaShakia Moore is recommending that in place of a hard cap, the superintendent would establish an annual threshold based on data that would allow students to choose schools if seats are available in a particular program of study or specific grade level regardless of overall capacity. The threshold would be posted on the district’s website. The Observer.
Education commissioner: The State Board of Education on Wednesday named Anastasios I. Kamoutsas as Florida's 32nd education commissioner. He is one of four deputy chiefs of staff in Gov. Ron DeSantis' office. He served as general counsel and former chief of staff to the Department of Education. “A lot of times in these situations we are taking a leap of faith with people coming in,” said State Board Chairperson Ben Gibson. “Here we have an opportunity to choose someone (and) we don’t have to guess how they’re going to perform.” The University of West Florida named Manny Diaz Jr., education commissioner for the past three years, to serve as its interim president. His role begins in July. Tampa Bay Times. Tallahassee Democrat. Spectrum News. ABC Action News.
Legislative update: After lawmakers proposed slashing bonuses for acceleration programs in half, full funding to pay for advanced placement programs in Florida's public schools is expected to stay in place in the final version of the budget. The proposed cuts included reduced funding for things like advanced placement, IB, dual enrollment and career and technical education. Meanwhile, a new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida parents will now have to opt in to corporal punishment at the state's public schools. The law requires parents to consent either at the beginning of each school year or before the punishment is administered. School districts will have to review their policies every three years. House and Senate leaders intend to send a proposed budget to Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 16. The fiscal year ends June 30. The state must have a new budget in place by July 1. News4Jax. WFTV.
Colleges and universities: Leaders at the University of South Florida said they don't want to lose the Sarasota-Manatee campus. USF president Rhea Law and Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford made their first public comments on the issue since internal documents showed in late May that USF had drafted the legislation to deliver 32 acres of land and buildings in Sarasota to neighboring New College of Florida, in exchange for canceling $53 million of debt on USF's new dormitories. No bill on the New College-USF situation was filed during this year’s legislative session, which began in March and has been extended until later in June. WUSF. Meanwhile, after Santa Ono was rejected by the state Board of Governor's to serve as president of University of Florida, officials are heading back to the drawing board. It is the first time in the Board of Governors’ 20-year history that members have overturned a presidential selection from a university. Tampa Bay Times. NBC News.
Around the state: Superintendent Van Ayres in Hillsborough County is facing scrutiny from members of his own board, the Miami-Dade School District has launched a new mental health and wellness program, the Florida Board of Governor's voted against the confirmation of Santa Ono as University of Florida president and a salary has been proposed for Florida A&M University's new president, Marva Johnson. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Miami-Dade: The Miami-Dade School District has launched a new mental health and wellness program. The free program, in partnership with the district, is spearheaded by the Kevin Love Fund, founded by Miami Heat player Kevin Love. Mental health professionals designed the program to provide students with a deeper understanding of mental health, reduce stigma and build a culture of support in schools. WUSF.
Hillsborough: School Superintendent Van Ayres is facing scrutiny from all directions, including members of his own board. Last month, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz sent a letter calling for the removal of two books from Hillsborough shelves over content concerns. The following week, Attorney General James Uthmeier followed up with a second letter asking about more “pornographic materials in your school libraries.” Ayres wrote in a response that all titles mentioned had been removed. He also said that to “err on the side of caution,” all 600 titles that had been placed on a list for removal by any county in the state during the past two school years had been taken out of circulation and would be reviewed, even though no objections to them have risen through the existing process in Hillsborough. During a heated school board meeting this week, 10 residents questioned why the books were still allowed in the district. Tampa Bay Times.
Brevard: The founder of three charter schools in South Brevard County — who also is the newest appointee to the Brevard County Tourist Development Council — is moving forward with plans to build a large swimming complex adjacent to one of his schools. John Moran — who is the founder of three Pineapple Cove Classical Academy Charter Schools and three preschools — said, in addition to being a venue for local school swimming meets, he has hopes that the complex will help attract out-of-area schools to the Space Coast for competitions Florida Today.
Bay: A Bay District Schools bus driver was arrested for allegedly hitting a child. WMBB. WJHG.
Education department cuts: The Trump administration has released new details of its vision to wind down the U.S. Department of Education. The budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 calls for a 15% funding cut to the department and a handful of changes to key K-12 and higher education programs. Central Florida Public Media.
Chronic absenteeism: The percentage of students with good attendance fell sharply between 2019 and 2023, while the share of chronically absent students more than doubled, offering further evidence of the pandemic’s shattering effect on the nation’s classrooms. The 74th.
Colleges and universities: Santa Ono, who faced a final vote on Tuesday by the Florida Board of Governors before he could become University of Florida's next president, was not confirmed by the board. Ono faced opposition from some who say he had a record of supporting DEI initiatives. The 17-member board serves as the governing body for the state's 12 public universities. Ono's confirmation was the only action item listed on the agenda. The decision comes a week after UF's Board of Trustees unanimously approved Ono for president on May 27. Gainesville Sun. Fox 13. Miami Herald. Florida A&M University is proposing a $650,000 salary for its new president, Marva Johnson. According to a proposed contract posted on the school's website, Johnson's salary would be $150,000 more than her predecessor was making, and comes with a 3% annual raise, car and housing allowance and a faculty position at the FAMU College of Law after the end of her presidency. Johnson was named FAMU President by the school's trustees. The move was immediately derided by supporters, watchers and alumni. Johnson is a lobbyist for Charter Communications. WUWF. Tallahassee Democrat. WFSU. The state's controversial post-tenure policy has led tenure-track faculty at public institutions to leave the state, according to a new study by University of Southern California researchers. In addition, the policy resulted in no improvement in professors' productivity, researchers found. Insider Higher Ed.
Opinions on schools: June 1 marked the 100th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Pierce v. Society of Sisters– effectively the first victory of America’s school choice movement. Matthew Ladner, NextSteps.
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.
Around the state: The hunt is on for a superintendent in Manatee, questions loom about who will become the state's next education commissioner, two Bay County schools were named among America's Canopy Schools and opponents of FAMU's president-elect are fighting back. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Duval: School board members are considering removing diversity, equity and inclusion from its district policy handbook. Currently, the DEI language remains. The district's executive director of policy and compliance said she does not want to risk losing federal dollars for the continuation of DEI practices. “I don’t know if we can predict when that will impact us or when these policies will be reviewed, but I do think that for us as a district, that’s something we do have to look at,” Cami Sams told board members. Action News Jax.
Manatee: As the school year winds down for teachers and students, Manatee officials will be busy finding a new superintendent. During a recent meeting, the board voted 3-2 to terminate the contract of former Superintendent Dr. Jason Wysong, who was hired in May 2023. Currently, District Chief of Staff Kevin Chapman is serving as interim superintendent. The school district is home to 42,000 students. Spectrum News.
Bay: Plans for a new school on Tyndall Air Force Base are continuing. Bay district leaders held a workshop last week to discuss the next steps for the Tyndall Academy K-8 facility. The current school was built 1950, and has undergone upgrades and reparis after Hurricane Michael. WMBB. Also, two Bay County schools were named among America's Canopy Schools. Chautauqua Charter School and Bay High School have received the distinction by the Center on Reinventing Public Education, part of Arizona State University. The designation honors schools that go above and beyond to care for all students and the broader community, according to a news release. “From maintaining a regular homeless outreach program and serving meals in the community, to acquiring workforce skills by cleaning Bay High School, Chautauqua students are making meaningful contributions every day,” the release said. Panama City News Herald.
Spelling bee winner: Faizan Zaki won the Scripps National Spelling Bee, a year after finishing runner-up. The 13-year-old from Allen, Texas, outlasted eight other spellers to win the title on Thursday night. Next year, the competition returns to the nation's capital at Constitution Hall near the White House. Zaki won after spelling the word "eclaircissement" correctly at the bee, which celebrated its 100th anniversary. This year, 243 kids from across the country competed, including 12 from Florida. "I know that from … my previous studying. It means enlightenment and … it comes from French. So I just knew all that in my head and, so I just got right to spelling," Zaki said. New York Times. CNN. CBS News.
Voucher plan: The Trump administration is pushing for a national school voucher plan. NPR.
High school graduations: Lakewood High graduates celebrated commencement in Clearwater. After Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, a traditional venue for Pinellas county graduates, some changes were needed. Tampa Bay Times.
Education commissioner: The wait won't be long to find out who will be Florida's next education commissioner. State Board of Education chairperson Ben Gibson added an item to the board's June 4 agenda for a discussion on how to replace Manny Diaz Jr., who was chosen to lead the University of West Florida. The State Board is responsible for choosing the commissioner. Tampa Bay Times. WMNF.
Colleges and universities: Private universities are fighting back against potential funding cuts. About 22,000 students at 15 private universities are at risk of losing their state-funded grants, which some schools say could cause a ripple effect in the state's economy and for employers in fields that are considered high-demand. School officials spoke during a press conference as they fight potential cuts to the Effective Access to Student Education grant, or EASE. Florida lawmakers must pass a budget, and funding EASE would be another issue for lawmakers to negotiate during the budget conference. “The Florida EASE grant scholarship helps students like me,” said Sophia Hilliard. “This grant is so much more than money. It’s about making my dreams, and my family’s, come true.” Florida Politics. The Ledger. Meanwhile, opponents of Florida A&M University's new president-elect are organizing to fight back. Marva Johnson is a lobbyist for Charter Communications and a FAMU alumna. Johnson was a last-minute addition to the presidential finalist list. Alumni are threatening to boycott the school, and thousands have signed a petition opposing Johnson. WUWF.
Opinions on schools: Since debuting as the fastest-growing platform in internet history, ChatGPT has become a metonym for all that AI ails. Within two months of its launch, a survey found 90% of college students were using it for homework. Michael Serazio, Time. What’s the best way to measure a school’s quality? It depends on whom you ask. Parents, educators, employers and policymakers hold many different opinions about the goals of education and, therefore, about how to judge school performance. Lynn Olson and Thomas Toch, The 74th.
Around the state: The Scripps National Spelling Bee wraps tonight, Florida Virtual Full Time Public Schools held an in-person graduation ceremony, the Leon county school district may take legal action against a charter school and summer food programs are available for students. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Broward: A Bolles High student created a nonprofit to help pay for fees related to sports for kids in foster care. The organization helps provide everything from registration fees to transportation. “It’s sad thinking that not everyone’s as fortunate as me,” said Jai Patel. “I’ve had so much given to me in my life, and I feel like it’s my duty, and I was put here to help people.” News4Jax.
Lee: An emergency meeting was held to talk about the future of Fort Myers Beach Elementary School. The school was forced to close twice due to destruction from Hurricane Ian and Milton. The special town council meeting ended with parents, residents and the council agreeing that they want the beach school to reopen as soon as possible. The Lee County School District is expected to vote on whether to repair or rebuild the school at a June 3 meeting. WINK.
Brevard: Graduates of Eau Gallie High closed out graduation season in Brevard on May 27. Florida Today.
Leon: Superintendent Rocky Hanna told school board members at the May 27 board meeting that the district could soon take legal action against Renaissance charter to reclaim furniture and equipment that was purchased with tax dollars. The school announced its closure in March after its governing board landed a deal to lease the property to Tallahassee Preparatory Academy, a new local private school. Renaissance owns the building, but Leon county taxpayers have paid for it since 2012. Tallahassee Democrat.
Virtual high school graduation: Florida Virtual Full Time Public Schools, the state's only fully virtual public school district, hosted an in-person graduation ceremony that honored graduates from across the state. The event highlighted the achievements of students who chose a nontraditional learning path through school choice and excelled. "Our students have successfully achieved their academic goals, while also pursuing their passions and interests due to the flexibility of the online learning environment. As they embark on their next journey, whether it’s college, military school, trade school, or entering the workforce, I extend my heartfelt wishes for their continued success and fulfillment," said Louis J. Algaze, president and CEO. FLVS.
National spelling bee: Florida students are among the 243 competing in this year's Scripps National Spelling Bee. "I've been studying the roots, like breaking down the etymology, and I've also been pushing myself on some words that I have trouble with, and a little bit of language patterns," said Moksh Maru of Sanford. Floridians have received the title of champion for the past two years, with Bruhat Soma in 2024 and Dev Shah in 2023. The finals take place on Thursday. Five competitors from Florida remain in the bee. The champion takes home the Scripps Cup and more than $52,000 in cash prizes. Meanwhile, dozens of past Scripps champions gathered together to honor the competition's 100th year. BayNews9. ABC Action News. Tampa Bay Times.
Summer food programs: Many districts are offering summer lunch programs to ensure students have meals to eat when they are not in class. Spectrum News. LKLD Now.
Legislative update: A bill that increases early detection opportunities and educational interventions for children with autism and their families was signed into law this week by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The bill directs the Florida Department of Health to provide Florida families with early intervention therapies and services through the Early Steps program until the child is 4. That program provides intervention services to eligible toddlers and infants. Under current law, children age out of the program when they turn 3 years old. Bill sponsor Sen. Gayle Harrell in a prepared statement called the new law a “game changer.” Florida Phoenix.
Opinions on schools: The Roosevelt Elementary School District in South Phoenix has experienced enrollment loss for decades, and the school board of the district has announced plans to close five schools. Matthew Ladner, NextSteps. We have experienced a massive loss of academic freedom and, as a result, academics. Adam Tritt, Florida Today.
Around the state: Federal and state budget cuts are changing how school district's statewide are feeding public school students, addressing housing insecurity for Osceola students, the Scripps National Spelling Bee continues, new university presidents have been chosen and the school board in Escambia wants to speed up the process of reviewing challenged library books. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Broward: Officials here may close some schools and open others. South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Pasco: The school district here will launch a new flexible education program next school year that is aimed at students who are homeschooled or attend private schools. BayNews 9. Meanwhile, two more Pasco high schools will get new principals as longtime leaders retire. Wiregrass Ranch High will be led by Jennifer Waselewski, and Gulf High will be led by Travis DeWalt. At least one other high school, Pasco High, will get a new leader in the future. Tampa Bay Times.
Pinellas: Six schools will get new principals for the upcoming academic year. Tampa Bay Times.
Osceola: Among the 73,558 students in the school district here, there is a segment of students who face some form of housing insecurity. Some live in hotels or motels, transitional shelters, parks, campgrounds and other places. Experts point to a particular culprit: Unaffordable housing. WKMG.
Brevard: Officials here are discussing what happens when students use chosen names without permission. Florida statute and the 2023 Board of Education rule mostly address school districts, teachers and parental rights rather than what students themselves can or cannot do. Florida Today.
Escambia: The school board here wants to speed up the process of reviewing challenged library books. After hearing from community members about the current review process at a May meeting, board member Kevin Adams said Escambia County Public Schools should improve the process. Florida has had more challenged books for removal than any other state. About 2,700 titles were targeted for restriction or removal in Florida schools and public libraries, according to data released by the American Library Association. Pensacola News-Journal.
After-school programs: Federal funding cuts could hurt after-school programs in school district's across Florida and nationwide. Hedy Chang, who founded a national nonprofit that seeks to combat chronic absenteeism in schools, says research has long shown that after-school programs can also improve student attendance during the school day, among other benefits. "After-school programs can connect kids to needed resources like food, nutrition," she says. "And make sure that they're connected to something that engages them, makes them excited about learning." WUFT.
Meal changes: State and federal cuts, and the end of pandemic-era relief funds, are changing how school districts across the state are feeding students in public schools. More than 50% of Florida's public school students last year received free or reduced meals while at school, according to the Florida Department of Health. Some districts have raised the cost of lunches for students. Axios.
Historic celebration: A reunion brought to light the heritage of two of Florida's historically Black schools. Ocala Gazette.
Legislature update: Many of the bills that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law so far from this year's session involve education. They include school safety laws, public health laws, school accountability laws and curriculum laws, among others. Central Florida Public Media.
Spelling bee: The Scripps National Spelling Bee began this week. Two South Florida spellers are competing: Nikhil Sha of Miami and Hadi Abbasi of Pembroke Pines. The competition, which is celebrating its 100th year, wraps up on Thursday. WPLG.
Colleges and universities: Florida Department of Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. has been selected as the University of West Florida's interim president. The Board of Trustee's chose him to replace Martha Saunders in an 8-2 vote on Tuesday morning. Saunders, who served as president since January 2017, resigned on May 12. The Board of Trustee's waived the 90-day notice of resignation. Diaz will become interim president on July 14. Pensacola News-Journal. Politico. WEAR. Meanwhile, University of Florida trustees have hired Santa Ono, outgoing president of the University of Michigan, as the school's new president. “Florida is showing the nation that it’s possible to elevate academic excellence without ideological indoctrination,” Ono said. “That’s the work I want to lead.” The decision remains subject to approval by the Florida University System's Board of Governors. Florida Politics. WEAR. Tampa Bay Times.
Opinions on schools: The latest educator pay data from the National Education Association is out, and Florida ranks 13th in higher education salaries nationally. This is a drastic contrast to Florida’s 50th ranking in average Pre-K-12 teacher pay – a growing disconnect that threatens the very foundation of our higher education system if left unchecked. Nandi Riley, Tallahassee Democrat.
Around the state: A new public charter school is opening in North Port, parents in Duval are concerned about free lunches ending, the Scripps National Spelling Bee starts today and misspending allegations plague New College of Florida. Here are details about those stories and others from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Duval: Parents in this school district are voicing concerns after the district said it was ending universal free lunches at 37 schools after reviewing its budget. Beginning next school lyear, DCPS will cut free lunch provided through the Community Eligibility Provision for 37 schools, which provided universal free meal, regardless of school or need. News4Jax.
Sarasota: The Imagine School at North Port is building a new K-12 public charter school. The goal is to bring expanded educational options to the growing city. Imagine Schools are national nonprofit public charter schools that prepare students for lives of leadership, good character and to be contributing citizens in their communities. "For North Port, which, as much as our city is growing, to have these choices available for our families kids, I think, is a great thing, and they have become a integral part of our community," said North Port Mayor Phil Stokes. Fox4Now.
Spelling bee: The Scripps National Spelling Bee will include 12 Florida contestants this year of the 243 spellers who are competing. Two contestants are from southwest Florida: Nicasio David from Ft. Myers and Sophia Jolie Schoenrock from Marco Island. Preliminaries will begin today, quarterfinals are Wednesday and the semifinals are Thursday. The Scripps National Spelling Bee has resulted in a Florida winner twice in a row, with Dev Shah in 2023 and Bruhat Soma in 2024. The bee is also marking 100 years of competition. The first bee was held in 1925, when the Louisville Courier-Journal invited other newspapers to host spelling bees and send their champions to Washington. The bee is now held just outside the nation's capital. The bee was canceled from 1943 to 1945 due to World War II, and again in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NBC Miami. Naples Daily News.
Student security: Officials who keep Tampa Bay area schools secure say the state's newest school safety law revisions will ease the strain that last year's version imposed across campuses statewide. Signed into law on Wednesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the update will give schools more flexibility in which doors and gates they must keep locked and when. Concerns were raised by school officials about the 2024 requirements before they became law because they say the wording forced them to keep all access and entry points staffed or locked. “The intent was one way, but the way the law was written didn’t offer the flexibility that lawmakers thought it did,” said Mike Baumaister, chief security officer for Pasco County schools. Tampa Bay Times.
Colleges and universities: The state has ended a program that allowed some immigrant students to pay in-state tuition. NPR. New College of Florida has come under fire over questions regarding how the school has paid for its sports program and the president's salary. Four alumni have threatened to sue the school's leadership, alleging they have inappropriately used restricted donations to fund their salaries and projects. Tampa Bay Times. Meanwhile, Manny Díaz Jr., the state's education commissioner, said on Friday that he would be "willing to have a conversation" about serving as interim president of the University of West Florida. The school's Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to formally accept the resignation of President Martha Saunders, who announced she is stepping down, and to name an interim replacement. Tampa Bay Times.
Opinions on schools: A professional learning community (PLC) is a structured, collaborative group of educators who come together regularly to discuss their teaching practices. They take collective responsibility for student learning by working toward shared goals and relentlessly focusing on the evidence they collect and analyze from students. Research strongly suggests that PLCs can positively impact both teacher practice and student achievement. Nancy Frey and Douglas Fisher, The 74th.
Around the state: Public universities are seeking agreements with the federal government to carry out immigration enforcement, the Senate Pre K-12 budget may challenge public schools, a bill in the Florida Senate examines how college and university leadership is selected, "Gulf of America" could soon make an appearance in Florida's classrooms and Gov. DeSantis' office asked colleges and universities across the state of Florida to hand over detailed information on grants received by faculty and research. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Pinellas: Teachers and school support staff should see their paychecks grow next year thanks to the district's expanded property tax referendum, approved by voters in November. For the first time, the referendum will extend to teacher's aides, nurses and other workers who are non-instructional. “I love the fact that the support people are included ... They get paid so little,” said Lee Bryant, president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association. Tampa Bay Times. Mary Brown, the first Black person elected to the Pinellas County school board, died recently in Pinellas Park. Tampa Bay Times.
Brevard: A teacher's contract in this county wasn't renewed after using a student's preferred name, instead of legal name, without parental consent, citing state law. The Brevard County School District decided not to renew the contract of Satellite High School teacher Melissa Calhoun, whose supporters started a petition asking the Brevard County School Board to reinstate her. As of Sunday afternoon, it had garnered more than 39,000 signatures. NBC News. Yahoo News. USA Today.
Alachua: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Janine Plavac to the Alachua County School Board. The appointment of Plavac fills the latest vacancy on the five-member board. Plavac is director of the Health Sciences Institute at St. Francis Catholic High School in Gainesville. Previously, she was chair of the Gainesville High School Advisory Council and was a member of the Alachua County Superintendent Search Committee. It took nearly four months to fill the empty seat. Independent Florida Alligator. Gainesville Sun. Main Street Daily News.
Colleges and universities: The police departments of some public universities in Florida are seeking agreements with the federal government to carry out immigration enforcement on campuses. The change comes as federal officials are revoking the visas of international students and using what critics say are new tactics to push some students out of the country. Florida Atlantic University, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida are all seeking to deputize their campus police for immigration enforcement, representatives for the schools confirmed to The Associated Press. Joshua Glanzer, a spokesperson for FAU, said “all state schools” in Florida are expected to pursue the expanded immigration enforcement authority. In addition, Florida International University confirmed on Friday that it has enrolled in the program known as 287(g) that will allow campus police to stop, question and in some cases detain people who they suspect are in the country illegally. ABC News. CNN. WUSF. Miami Herald. CBS News. Tampa Bay Times. Meanwhile, public and private universities are reporting students have had their visas revoked. At University of Florida, eight students had their visas revoked. At Florida International University, a spokesperson said 18 foreign students have had their F-1 student visas revoked. NBC News. WCJB. Also, Gov. DeSantis' office has asked colleges and universities across the state of Florida to hand over detailed information on grants received by faculty and research over the last six years. Colleges last week began the process of asking professors for the information, which would be supplied for Florida’s newly formed cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, initiative. Tampa Bay Times.
In the Legislature: A bill in the Florida Senate is examining how college and university leadership is selected. The legislation has advanced through the Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education and is one step away from the Senate floor. SB 1726 focuses on filling top roles within Florida's higher education system and mandates that search committees present at least three finalists for any open president position. It also establishes a residency or alumni status requirement for candidates seeking leadership roles in Florida's colleges and universities. Sen. Alexis Calatayud emphasized the importance of transparency. “I feel that it is incredibly important that we have an opportunity to understand who some of those individuals are,” she said. News4Jax. Meanwhile, some say the Senate Pre K-12 budget will challenge public schools in the state of Florida. As more families take advantage of the state's school choice programs, traditional public schools are seeing fewer dollars. “The reflection of the budget is a reflection of the fact that there is, in fact, a reduction in enrollment in the districts based upon the growing number of students and families that are choosing universal school choice,” said Zephyrhills Danny Burgess, who is in charge of the section of the Senate’s budget on PreK-12 schools. Central Florida Public Media. School districts are begging state lawmakers not to slash bonuses for accelerated students. WUWF. Finding out whether a local school board member lives in the district they represent could soon become harder. A measure that is moving through the Florida Legislature would make the addresses and phone numbers of elected officials secret, including school board members. The exemption would only last as long as the official holds office. Tampa Bay Times.
Gulf of America: The “Gulf of America” could make an appearance soon in Florida’s classrooms. The state Senate approved a measure (HB 549) that would require school districts and charter schools to ensure that any materials they purchase after June 30 refer to the Gulf of America — rather than the Gulf of Mexico. The legislation will now head to the governor’s desk to be considered. Tampa Bay Times. Florida Phoenix.
Around the state: Florida's college and universities are facing an upcoming deadline, a budget shortfall in Volusia, an early education center is closing in Pasco, families rally in Osceola about proposed special education changes and concerns abound regarding the closure of a school in Brevard. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Pasco: This district's first dedicated early learning center will shut its doors after two years of operation. Mittye P. Locke Early Learning Academy opened in 2023. The district spent $2 million converting the former elementary school into a 10-classroom center aimed at providing services that were in short supply in the area. Principal Jomary Schulz, who helped open the early learning center, took to social media to say what an honor it was to lead the school. “Relationships have been built and we will stay strong through this transition!” Tampa Bay Times.
Osceola: More than 60 people spoke out against the district's proposed changes to its special education program on Tuesday. They held signs like "special needs deserve special care" and called on the district to pause or reverse its plans to consolidate the district's special education program into hubs. The move would push some students into general education classrooms and could force others to move schools. Central Florida Public Media.
Brevard: A meeting was held earlier this week to discuss concerns about McNair Magnet Middle School potentially being closed or consolidated with John F. Kennedy Middle in Rockledge. The school, named after late astronaut Ronald McNair, who died in the Challenger explosion, is one of the most underutilized middle schools in the county, according to data from an outside consultant. During a work session held Tuesday prior to the board meeting, potential options were discussed on how to best utilize resources. "If you close McNair, you just don't close a school, you close a community, a lifeline, a place full of opportunity and hope," said Consuelo Ramos-DeYesso, the school's 2024 Teacher of the Year. Florida Today.
Volusia: Board members met on Tuesday morning for a workshop, where they listened to a presentation by the district's chief financial officer that outlined some budget concerns. Chief among them: A $25.8 million deficit in their general operating fund. Leaders said one of the factors contributing to the budget shortage is a reduction in the money allocated to public schools by the Florida Legislature. Another factor is that student enrollment numbers are down in the county, which results in a higher per-student fixed cost — making it more pricey to run some schools. “There’s no cause for panic or fear right now. We want to hear from the community, hear from our stakeholders about ways that we can increase our enrollments, ways that we can make our schools more efficient and optimize the size of them,” said Krista Goodrich, District 2 school board member. Spectrum News. WKMG.
In the Legislature: A bill that would make it easier for public schools to be converted into charter schools is one vote from passing in the House after it cleared its first committee hurdle. Members of the House Education and Employment Committee voted 11-4 for an amended version of HB 123, which would change the standard by which municipalities can turn over public school property to private education companies. Rep. Alex Andrade sponsored the bill. It would exclude school boards, teachers and school administrators from voting on the issue. The decision would fall to parents of a given school, provided that their children were enrolled there for at least two years. Florida Politics. Meanwhile, the Senate convened on Wednesday. The special order calendar includes budget proposals and bills related to Bright Futures scholarships and student sports participation. The House also convened. Tampa Bay Times.
Colleges and universities: Florida's public colleges and universities have two weeks to turn over six years' worth of records on staffing, research and grant funding as part of their first formal information request under Gov. Ron DeSantis' newly mandated Department of Government Efficiency. In a letter to university presidents, the DOGE team outlined the first phase of its audit. Institutions were told to submit a vast set of documents: Every awarded grant application and agreement, all publicly available research or academic drafts and a full accounting of all non-instructional staff positions – including job titles, salaries and whether the roles are in-person, remote or hybrid. WUSF. Parents planning to send their kids to college may have questions about navigating student loans and tuition savings. NPR. Meanwhile, a new poll says Americans without a degree still believe in the value of college. NPR.
Opinions on schools: The march to dismantle public education continues unabated in the Florida Legislature. The push to monetize and privatize schooling advances, including several bills that lower academic standards and reduce protections for children's welfare. Sally Butzin, Tallahassee Democrat. As an arts educator and a mother of a K-12 student, I see firsthand how arts integration provides students with a space to express themselves, collaborate with peers, and engage more deeply in other subjects. The arts deepen my students’ learning, helping them apply skills within new contexts. Teisha Holloway, The 74th.
Around the state: Students at private colleges could lose state tuition help, changes are proposed to the special education program in Osceola, some colleges are looking to enroll Hispanic students, early kindergarten registration comes with a big reward in Leon, nationwide graduate school rankings were released and discussion continues about how to classify charter schools. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Osceola: Education advocates and parents planned to rally outside Osceola County schools ahead of proposed changes to the district's special education program. The district has proposed consolidating its special education program into hubs on a handful of campuses, which forces some into general education classrooms and others to transfer schools. Parents say the situation is inconvenient, and some question the legality of the changes. Students with disabilities have the right to a public school education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Central Florida Public Media.
Leon: Early kindergarten registration in Leon County schools could come with a big reward: A two-year Florida Prepaid Scholarship. Families who enroll their kindergartners by May 16 will be entered into a drawing for the college scholarship. The award is an incentive for parents to enroll kindergartners to help schools prepare for the first day of school on Aug. 11. "We are expecting to see an uptick in kindergarten enrollment for next school year," Hartsfield Elementary School Principal John Olson said. Tallahassee Democrat.
Martin: Principal Sarah Tuthill of Felix A. Williams Elementary School in Stuart has been named finalist for state principal of the year. Finalists are chosen based on their contributions to the school culture, academic performance and professional learning, officials said in a statement. The 2025 principal and assistant principal of the year will be announced on Friday. TC Palm.
Highlands: The school district here is updating its General Education Development test policy, which includes removing the requirement for an underage waiver for 16 and 17-year-olds. New language in the policy states that a student may be awarded a state of Florida high school equivalency diploma based on successful testing. Highlands News-Sun.
Private schools: Private college and university are concerned about cuts to EASE grants, which provide assistance for undergraduates hoping to afford them. House lawmakers have proposed requiring the schools to meet set criteria in areas such as graduation and student retention rates in order for their students to receive an EASE grant. The proposal could effect as many as 22,000 students. Orlando Sentinel. Tampa Bay Times.
Charter schools: The U.S. Supreme Court will take up a case that could decide whether charter schools are state actors or operate privately. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and allied groups are set to file briefs to the high court this week before arguments scheduled for April 30. Charter schools receive taxpayer dollars and don't charge tuition, but have significant autonomy to operate independently and privately, outside the bounds of some state and local regulations that apply to traditional public schools. Politico.
In the Legislature: The Florida Legislature is on track to reverse course on a policy that allowed the hiring process for university presidents to occur behind closed doors. Several parts of the bill would also weaken the control the state's governor has over public colleges and universities. Central Florida Public Media. The House Education and Employment Committee has more than a dozen bills on its Tuesday agenda. The Senate Rules Committee has a bill on the agenda about reporting teacher arrests. The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee will consider a bill on teacher certification. Also, the House Pre K-12 Budget Subcommittee will consider three bills. Tampa Bay Times.
Colleges and universities: New College of Florida may soon take over stewardship of a local art museum and another branch campus, but critics say NCF lacks the means or capability to manage either. Inside Higher Ed. A University of Florida student from Colombia was arrested and taken to an immigration detention facility. Florida Rep. Yvonne Hinson said Zapata Velásquez’s detention by immigration authorities shouldn’t have happened over a traffic violation. “Why not give a ticket, but to be detained for such an offense is outlandish and quite alarming,” she said in a statement. WPLG. Tampa Bay Times. Meanwhile, colleges around the U.S. say some international students' visas are being revoked. Orlando Sentinel. A Spring Career Fair will be held at Santa Fe College today. Main Street Daily News. Some colleges are targeting a long-neglected group: Hispanic students. But some say efforts to enroll and support Hispanic students are being complicated by the withdrawal of diversity programs and financial help for undocumented students. NPR. The University of Florida's graduate programs in law, business, education and engineering were the best available in the Sunshine State, according to nationwide graduate school rankings released on Tuesday. No university or college in Florida cracked the top five nationwide among graduate programs in law, business, engineering or education, where UF's graduate program came in tied for sixth and Florida State University's program came in tied for 18th. Those education rankings represented a 10-place jump for UF, but a four-place drop for FSU. Gainesville Sun.
Opinions on schools: A closer look at enrollment trends. Matthew Ladner, NextSteps. Florida needs to fix the way it selects presidents of universities. House Bill 1321 and Senate Bill 1726 would open up the process. It repeals the current public records exemption for state university and state college presidential applicants, which keeps any personal identifying information of non-finalist applicants confidential. The move may have helped some applicants shield their aspirations from their current employers, but it left the public in the dark. Douglas C. Lyons, Ft. Myers News-Press.
