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As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, concerns are rising among educators about potential immigration enforcement in schools. Reports indicate that Trump plans to rescind a policy that has historically protected schools from ICE raids. According to NBC News, this change could occur on his first day in office, raising fears for the 5.5 million children living with unauthorized immigrant parents. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized the importance of not disrupting access to essential services, saying: “To the fullest extent possible, we should not take an enforcement action in or near a location that would restrain people's access to essential services.” Legal experts warn that immigration enforcement in schools could violate constitutional rights established in the 1982 Plyler v. Doe decision. As uncertainty looms, educators are urged to remind families of their rights and prepare for potential changes in immigration policy.

 

Education Week News

NBC Miami

NBC News

The U.S. Department of Education has approved $1.7bn in spending extensions for K-12 COVID-19 emergency funding under the American Rescue Plan (ARP), according to updated data as of November 21. Of the total, $1.3bn is for ARP-Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds across seven states—Alabama, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Nebraska—and Puerto Rico. An additional $425m is for ARP-Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools across eight states, including California, Colorado, and Texas. States without approved extensions must liquidate ARP funds by January 28, 2025, while those with extensions have until March 30, 2026. Delays due to supply chain issues, procurement, or service disruptions are among the allowable justifications for extensions. The Association of School Business Officials International emphasized the importance of these extensions in providing flexibility to address critical educational needs. The ARP program, the largest of three federal COVID-19 aid packages for K-12 schools, allocated $121.9bn in total. Other states and Puerto Rico still have extension requests under review, while extensions for earlier COVID relief packages have also been approved for about half of all states and territories.

 

K-12 Dive

Florida Republican lawmakers have introduced bills to reverse key gun control measures enacted after the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland. State Rep. Joel Rudman seeks to repeal the red flag law and permit open carry, while Sen. Randy Fine proposes lowering the age to purchase rifles from 21 to 18. These measures face opposition in the Senate, where President Ben Albritton has voiced skepticism about open carry and rolling back post-Parkland reforms. The 2018 laws, passed after intense advocacy from survivors and victims' families, marked a rare bipartisan response to the tragedy that left 17 dead and 17 injured.

 

ABC News

U.S. News

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming school operations, helping district leaders streamline tasks and engage communities. Andrew Adams, executive director of business services for the Eden Prairie school district in Minnesota, has used ChatGPT to navigate funding documentation, though he highlighted the importance of human oversight after identifying errors in AI-generated suggestions. Despite the challenges, Adams advocates for embracing AI, having launched an “AI for Dummies” class for the Minnesota Association of School Business Officials to encourage experimentation and learning. Similarly, Madeline Negrón, superintendent of New Haven schools in Connecticut, used the AI-driven tool ThoughtExchange to gather extensive community feedback for a five-year strategic plan. The tool’s ability to translate queries into 76 languages and analyze demographic-specific data enabled unprecedented outreach in the district of 19,000 students. Negrón plans to use AI for future projects, including crafting a "portrait of a graduate" to define key student skills. A recent EdWeek Research Center survey found strong support for AI among K-12 administrators, with 70% endorsing its use for tracking and analyzing community feedback. 

 

Education Week News

The potential ban of TikTok in the U.S. is becoming more imminent following a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which denied TikTok's petition to overturn a law requiring it to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance Ltd. TikTok has requested a pause on the law's enforcement until the U.S. Supreme Court reviews its appeal. While some educators welcome the ban due to concerns over mental health and attention spans, others appreciate the platform for its ability to connect with students and serve as a professional development tool. TikTok argues that the ban would infringe on the freedom of speech of over 170m Americans, stating: “The TikTok ban, unless stopped, will silence the voices of over 170 million Americans here in the U.S. and around the world.” Meanwhile, the platform faces additional legal challenges regarding its impact on children's mental health and privacy violations.

 

Education Week News

During the pandemic, schools fell significantly behind in identifying students for special education services, with Washington state alone missing around 8,000 identifications between March 2020 and March 2022. However, recent data indicates a recovery, with Washington schools addressing about two-thirds of the backlog. Roddy Theobald, deputy director of CALDER, stated: “The new data shows a substantial rebound.” Despite this progress, concerns remain about the long-term effects on students who missed evaluations, particularly those with specific learning disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandates compensatory services, but there is no guarantee that missed services will be provided. As schools strive to recover, challenges such as staffing shortages and budget constraints persist, making it crucial to continue monitoring the situation.

 

Education Week News

Members of the Leon Classroom Teachers Association voiced their concerns about inadequate salaries at a recent school board meeting. One teacher expressed: "Absolutely embarrassing that I need a second job to pay my bills," highlighting the financial strain many educators face. The meeting followed an impasse declared by Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna regarding pay negotiations, marking the first such occurrence in over 20 years. The district has proposed a $4m salary package, while the teachers initially requested $6m, later reducing it to $5.5m. The average teacher salary in Florida is $53,098, with Leon County's average at $49,270, making it one of the lowest in the nation. LCTA President Scott Mazur emphasized the goal of supporting classroom educators, stating: "At the end of the day our goal is to make sure we do our best by the people that are in the classroom."

 

Tallahassee.com

In Manatee County, a recent survey revealed that high housing costs are pushing many school teachers to seek affordable living options. The survey, which gathered 280 responses primarily from teachers and School District employees, indicated that 67% would be willing to reside in a proposed affordable apartment complex, with an additional 20% considering the option. District spokesman Mike Barber stated: “But to get this feedback was really helpful in terms of finding out that there was interest — from especially teachers — in having opportunities like this available to them.” The School Board is currently evaluating a developer's proposal for 132 apartments on district-owned land, with rents projected to be no more than 30% of a teacher's monthly salary, which starts at $59,239. The average rent in Bradenton is $1,972, highlighting the urgent need for affordable housing.

 

Bradenton.com

The City of Hialeah Educational Academy (COHEA) is pushing for an expansion that would take over two multipurpose fields at Slade Park, aiming to increase student enrollment from 1,000 to 1,250. The proposal includes building a career and technical education center and a gym, but has faced significant opposition from city council members and residents. Council President Jacqueline Garcia-Roves expressed concerns, stating: “I don’t like building on top of a park.” Critics argue that the expansion would reduce green space in a city already lacking in urban tree canopy. Despite the support from some students and Council Member Carl Zogby, the council voted 5-2 to postpone the decision until January 14. The expansion plan has raised questions about the future of public park land in Hialeah.

 

The Miami Herald

Carmen Balgobin will continue as the Superintendent of Volusia County Schools after the school board approved a four-year contract with a 4-1 vote on December 10. Her base salary will increase by 8.7% to $280,000, along with a $500 monthly medical stipend and the ability to park a district car at home. School Board member Ruben Colon stated, "I think that what she's asking for is fair," emphasizing the need for stability in the district. However, some board members, like Donna Brosemer, expressed concerns about rushing the approval, suggesting that the board should take time to evaluate the contract and its implications. Despite mixed opinions, many community members and principals voiced their support for Balgobin, highlighting her leadership and commitment to the district's success.

 

Ormond Beach Observer

Miami-Dade County School Board is addressing the alarming rise in hoax threats against schools, emphasizing that such threats are serious felonies. Superintendent Dr. Jose Dotres highlighted a troubling pattern of increased threats around the holiday season, stating, “There appears to be a pattern... of escalation as it refers to these threats.” A recent bomb threat at Horace Mann Middle School led to the arrest of a 20-year-old man in Texas. The Florida legislature has mandated strict consequences, including automatic expulsion for students involved in such threats. Dotres noted, “It's not only the school, it's a disruption to a community,” underscoring the broader impact of these incidents. Miami-Dade County Public Schools is actively working to educate students and parents about the severe repercussions of making threats, aiming to ensure safety and accountability within the school community.

 

NBC Miami

In Tavares, Florida, a concerning trend has emerged, with one in 10 middle and high school students reported using tobacco products, primarily vaping. Joseph Mabry, Lake County Schools' director of security and safety, discussed a new pilot program aimed at combating this issue. The program, costing approximately $97,000, will utilize smart sensor detection devices in restrooms to enforce a strict no-vaping policy. Mabry explained that these sensors detect anomalies in air particles, sending alerts to administrators when vaping is suspected. He emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating: "None of these chemicals are good... They shouldn't be in our schools." The pilot program is set to launch at East Ridge High School by March 2025, with plans to evaluate its effectiveness for potential district-wide implementation.

 

Daily Commercial

In the 2023-24 school year, only 50% of U.S. K-12 students utilized school buses, marking the lowest rate in a decade, according to School Bus Fleet's 2025 Fact Book. This decline is attributed to various factors, including pandemic-related disruptions, frustrations over late buses, and budget cuts. Despite this downturn, special-needs ridership has increased, with 22% of passengers reported to have special needs in 2024, up from 14% in 2023. The Washington Post noted that “the school bus is disappearing,” reflecting broader trends in transportation preferences. While challenges persist, the market for school buses is projected to grow, with estimates suggesting an increase from $2.41bn to $3.04bn by 2029. The industry remains resilient, adapting to changing demands and exploring new opportunities.

 

School Bus Fleet

Valencia College is embroiled in controversy following a $2.1m donation from Glen Gilzean, the Orange County Supervisor of Elections. Initially celebrated, the donation has raised concerns about oversight and the appropriateness of using taxpayer funds for scholarships. Alan Byrd, chair of the Valencia College Foundation, expressed his worries in emails, claiming: “As I said in the beginning, this was going to cause us issues.” The situation escalated when Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings condemned the funding, leading to the cancellation of planned pep rallies and calls for the return of the donation. Despite the backlash, Byrd emphasized the potential impact of the scholarships, which could benefit students at Evans and Jones high schools. He noted: “I can’t imagine what my life would be without Valencia in it,” highlighting the importance of education in transforming lives.

 

Florida Politics

Fox 35 Orlando

The swimming pool at Lake Worth High School in Florida has been closed indefinitely due to an invasion of iguanas, prompting safety concerns from the Department of Health and the School District of Palm Beach County. Local resident Alyssia Jaume described the situation, stating: "What they leave behind is definitely gross," highlighting the unsanitary conditions caused by the reptiles. The city has spent over $100,000 on iguana prevention measures, including climb-resistant barriers and electric fencing, as iguanas have been known to disrupt power lines. Lake Worth Beach Commissioner Reinaldo Diaz emphasized the ongoing nature of the problem, saying: "Unfortunately, they're a problem that's here to stay." The district has no plans to reopen the pool, which has become a haven for the iguanas.

 

WPTV