Around the state: The Duval School Board is voting on negotiating contracts to sell its current headquarters, interim president begins at University of Florida, enrollment drops continue in some counties and students adjust to phone restrictions at school. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Duval: The School Board in this county is set to vote on negotiating contracts to sell its current headquarters on Jacksonville's Southbank and purchase a newer building. Voting yes would authorize Superintendent Christopher Bernier to negotiate final contracts for both transactions. More votes would still be needed to complete the deals. The board is expected to act on Oct. 7 to formally approve or reject a $20 million offer from the nonprofit Fleet Landing retirement community to buy the current headquarters for a new development, the school district said in a Sept. 1 message posted on its website. The Florida Times-Union. Yahoo News.
Volusia: Teens in this county can now take a new online driver's education course to meet a recent state law requiring completing a course before getting a learner's permit. The law requires teens 15-17 to complete a driver's education course before obtaining a permit. It is part of a larger effort to lower teen crash rates. "... The better that we can educate our young drivers, the safer our roads will be,” said Florida Safety Council Executive Director Christopher Earl. WFTV.
Enrollment drop: Schools in Tampa Bay are seeing fewer students in their classrooms than last year, according to preliminary 10-day counts from the districts. A drop in enrollment was expected, but some experienced a larger decline than anticipated, which could be detrimental for school budgets. Various reasons have contributed to the decline of enrollment nationwide, which include falling birth rates and education options outside of public school. In Pinellas, for example, the school district saw its student population decline from 77,854 to 74,203. Lee Bryant, president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, said "We're actually having more of a student loss than we anticipated, which means we'll have even less money coming into the county. The less money we have, the harder it is to keep our teachers employed." WUSF.
Phones in schools: As students headed back to school in the past few weeks, some are without a particular item: their cell phones. More states than ever are banning students from using the devices during school hours. Some hope students will see the long-term benefits, while others don't agree with the idea of a ban. WUSF.
Colleges and universities: Donald Landry, a former Columbia professor, is set to serve as interim president of the University of Florida. UF's Board of Trustees tapped Landry as the new interim leader starting Sept. 1 after a year of leadership at Florida's top-ranking public university being up in the air. Before the university's trustees, Landry reinforced that his goal as UF president would be to establish neutrality, meaning that the university would only weigh in on issues when it affects the "central core interest of the university." NWF Daily News. WCJB. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Opinions on schools: The COVID crisis catapulted peripheral educational trends into the mainstream, not only creating the opportunity for new schools and spaces to emerge but, more importantly, permanently altering the way parents, teachers, and kids think about schooling and learning. The pre‑pandemic tilt toward homeschooling and microschooling has converged with five post‑pandemic trends that are profoundly reshaping American education for families and founders. Kerry McDonald, the 74th. Florida does not have a cap on charter schools. Rather than treating highly successful schools specializing in educating disadvantaged students as a public menace, Florida is rolling out the red carpet for highly effective school models. Matthew Ladner, NextSteps.
Around the state: Declining enrollment and budget concerns in central Florida districts, a reconstructed school in Polk, adjustments to safety rules in Escambia, sales tax holiday continues, superintendent search narrows in Manatee and a dip in teacher and bus driver vacancies in Tampa Bay. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Orange: Central Florida districts facing declining enrollment are pitching the virtues of public education to local families, some of whom are choosing alternate paths. By next year, Orange County Public Schools will defer new school construction in the face of declining enrollment. During this school year, OCPS anticipates about 3,100 fewer students as families opt for state-funded private school scholarships. The state expanded its school voucher program in 2023, making all students eligible for scholarships, regardless of family income. Voucher use has risen since then, while public school enrollment has dipped. Orlando Sentinel. Yahoo News. In addition to declining enrollment, the district's annual budget is a major focus as school got back into session this week. Orange County Public Schools Chief Communications Officer Scott Howat says the district is not keeping up with inflationary costs. Howat said that per student, funding over the last year has increased by 1.5%, during which inflationary costs rose by 3%. The district will do a headcount of its students in October to get a sense of what enrollment numbers look like for the remainder of the year. A final budget will be adopted on Sept. 9. Spectrum News.
Polk: Elbert Elementary School's doors reopened after a two-year, $62 million reconstruction, providing education to students closer to their homes. The expectation is for about 700 kids will attend this year, but the building was built to hold 900. "It is more convenient, it is closer than the last one he went to, so we are excited about it," says Mya Stewart, who has one 6-year-old attending Elbert this year. ABC Action News.
Manatee: As students returned to school on Monday, the district was still without a superintendent, but the Manatee County School Board on Tuesday narrowed its nationwide search down to two candidates: Dr. Laurie Breslin and Dr. Misty Mathis. A meet-and-greet for finalists will be held on Aug. 18. In May, the school board voted 3-2 to terminate former Superintendent Dr. Jason Wysong’s contract. His termination agreement states he will be employed with the district through mid-August, serving only as an administrative transitional consultant. Spectrum News. WWSB.
Escambia: With school back in session, students and staff are adjusting to new safety rules. House Bill 1471 repeals a law passed in 2023 that required all doors, hallways and gates in and around schools to be locked during school hours. Gov. Ron DeSantis says this was a push by school administrators around the state. The new law replaces the rigid requirement with more flexible provisions, like allowing doors or gates to remain unlocked if separated by a locked barrier. Teachers and administrators in Escambia say many schools in the area won't be impacted by the law since they're not equipped with a barrier. WEAR.
Citrus: The Citrus County School District has added a third in-school meal for students participating in certain after-school activities. The "Super Snack" is available for students who participate in activities like band or athletics, among others. “Each one of our super snack meals has at least 19 grams of protein, which is especially important for our athletes because they definitely need a little extra protein,” said Roy Pistone, the district's director of Food and Nutrition Services. Spectrum News.
Teacher vacancies: There has been a decline in teacher and bus driver vacancies in the Tampa Bay area, districts reported. In Pinellas, schools have a surplus of bus drivers and only 24 teacher vacancies at the start of this school year. The county’s declining student population means that the district needs fewer teachers. "We're an A district, people don't want to leave, we're getting paid fairly well and the declining population all factor into it,” said Lee Bryant, president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association. In Hillsborough, spokesperson Debra Bellanti said the district has fewer vacancies at the start of this school year because of recruiting efforts and a millage referendum that passed last year. County voters approved two bumps in taxes during the election in November. Revenue from both will go toward public schools, but only the millage tax will fund teacher salaries. In Manatee, the district opened two new schools, which created over 80 positions. In Hernando, there are 88 unfilled teacher roles, but 47 are being filled by the county’s Associate Teacher Substitute Program. In Pasco, the district is starting the school year with 73 open teaching spots. In 2024, the district started with 105 openings and had 212 openings in 2023. WUSF.
Sales tax holiday continues: Florida’s annual back-to-school sales tax holiday is longer this year than usual. It began on Aug. 1 and runs through Aug. 31, instead of just lasting two weeks. Lkld Now. Fox 13.
ICE raids: The Orange County Schools Superintendent has a message for families who are worried about sending their children to school amidst ICE raids. Amidst immigration raids in Florida, and active deportations from the South Florida detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz, some Central Florida families say they are afraid to send kids to school. Orange County Superintendent Maria Vazquez said “I believe our schools are the safest place for our children. They are able to get the education, the support services they need." The American Federation of Teachers visited the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association last year and passed out several free resources on the topic. Central Florida Public Media.
Around the state: The Florida Board of Education is expected to meet on new rules, leadership changes are afoot in Hillsborough, teacher recruitment is facing hurdles statewide and the sales tax holiday is around the corner. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state's districts, private schools and colleges and universities:
Broward: A discussion on whether to significantly increase pay for Broward county teachers and principals has been postponed for another week due to concerns the proposal feels rushed. School Board member Allen Zeman unveiled the proposal at a Tuesday meeting to raise average total compensation for teachers to $100,000 by 2025, up from an average of $78,000 today. That amount includes base salary, retirement benefits and health care. Total compensation for principals and assistant principals would increase to an average of $150,000, up from about $137,000, according to Zeman. “We need to make sure that we compensate our most valuable resource in a way that is a reflection of the respect that they're held in Broward County,” Zeman said. WLRN.
Hillsborough: Superintendent Van Ayres announced a round of district leadership changes this week that will affect everything from personnel to family engagement as the new school year approaches. Ayres replaced Addison Davis this month. Davis took a job at a consulting firm. “As we prepare for our students to return, now is the time to come together, refocus on our collective goals, and implement strategies to move forward purposefully,” Ayres wrote in an email to staff. Tampa Bay Times.
Pinellas: One career path that has become less popular over the past few decades as college freshmen prepare to start school this fall semester and decide on a major to pursue: education. The fact isn't surprising to some. "We have the fourth largest economy in America. We're 48th in teacher pay," said Lee Bryant, president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association. Between new legislation and low wages statewide, some say it will be tougher for the state to recruit new teachers. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that while enrollment in college has gone up over several decades, choosing to graduate with a degree in education has dropped. WTSP.
Bay: A church held its back-to-school block party at Daffin Park in Panama City. About 250 students of all ages lined up choosing backpack-filled supplies to get ready for the first day of classes. “I can’t really describe it but it’s just and amazing feeling to know that we’re able to help and give back to the community because we need this with and I know a lot of students with prices going up parents need the help too,” Event Organizer Charita Collier said. WJHG.
Sales tax holiday: Florida's annual Back-to-School "sales tax holiday" is set to provide an extended period of tax-free shopping this year. The sales tax holiday runs from July 24 until Aug. 6 to provide a chance for families to prepare for the upcoming school year and save money on essential purchases. During the tax holiday, Florida will waive the 7.02% sales tax as well as any local option taxes on various back to school items that include everything from footwear to personal computers. WSVN.
Board of Education meeting: New rules regarding gender identity and internet use in schools are expected to be approved by state officials meeting in Orlando on Wednesday. The Florida Board of Education will implement several laws approved by state legislators this year. WESH.
University and college news: The school board of Alachua county will proceed with a slightly reduced payment to Santa Fe College in the agreement that allows Alachua students to take Santa Fe classes through dual enrollment. Board members expressed concern about overpaying Santa Fe, but prioritized the resources that students receive. The board's chosen reduction only chops the school district's current payment to Santa Fe by 10%, retaining most services already included in the agreement and saving the district about $150,000. Main Street Daily News.
Opinions on schools: The Ron DeSantis administration is obsessed with targeting the LBGTQ community in Florida dishonestly, irrationally and repetitively across multiple venues. The latest salvos will be fired when the state Board of Education takes up a group of proposals that would drag Florida educators down the path of persecution. Orlando Sentinel, editorial board. Without affordable child care, graduating from college can be nearly impossible. Nicole Lynn Lewis, the 74th.
