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Florida's new state budget has increased funding for private school vouchers and charter schools, raising concerns among public school advocates about the future of public education. Critics argue that while public school funding and teacher pay have seen some increases, they do not keep pace with inflation, leading to potential financial strain on schools. The impact of these funding changes on public school performance and enrollment remains uncertain, with ongoing lawsuits potentially affecting charter school policies.

 

Fox 35 Orlando

A group of former federal special education officials has written to leaders of the House and Senate education appropriations subcommittees urging them to reject efforts to move oversight of special education services to the U.S. Department of Education. The Supreme Court's decision to allow the Education Department to continue downsizing clears the way for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to be moved under the auspices the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, although no formal plan has been made public. In addition to warning against this, the letter also asks Congress to reject President Donald Trump’s plan to combine into a block grant certain funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in fiscal year 2026. It argues that a current Republican-led proposal to consolidate IDEA’s preschool funding and support for teacher training, technical assistance, and special education research “would have an immediate detrimental impact on special education, students with disabilities, schools, and states.” The National Down Syndrome Congress said: “IDEA is an education and a civil rights law, not a social service, and it must remain in a department dedicated to education to ensure strong oversight, enforcement, and accountability." 

 

K-12 Dive

Florida's House Bill 1105, effective July 1, prohibits elementary and middle school students from using cell phones during the entire school day. The bill also includes a pilot program to test phone bans in six school districts. Volusia County School's Mike Micallef noted that the law will require enforceable policies to ensure compliance. Teachers are concerned about managing classrooms without devices. Schools are encouraged to work with families to support students in adjusting to these new rules.

 

Ormond Beach Observer

On his first day as Florida's new education commissioner, Anastasios Kamoutsas made it clear that he is serious about enforcing parental and teacher rights in the classroom. He issued a five-page memo to superintendents outlining existing mandates from 2021. His approach signals a commitment to uphold these rights as a priority in Florida's educational landscape.

 

Tampa Bay Times

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has dismissed an appeal from the Escambia County School Board, which sought to avoid testifying in a legal case regarding book removals in school libraries. The court ruled that the board lacks standing to appeal since legislative privilege belongs to individual members, not the board itself. U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell previously determined that the board's actions were administrative rather than legislative, saying: “Even though the school board's decision to remove or restrict a book has some hallmarks of a legislative act... it is functionally an administrative act.” The ongoing lawsuit, initiated by parents, authors, and advocacy groups, claims that the board's decisions violate First Amendment rights.

 

Pensacola News Journal

The Pinellas County school district is facing a challenging budget situation for the upcoming fiscal year, worsened by a recent $1.4m funding withdrawal from the state. The district's financial outlook has become increasingly concerning since the proposed spending plan was revealed in late June.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Rocky Hanna, superintendent of Leon County Schools, highlights a significant financial crisis as the new school year approaches, with a projected shortfall of $12.5m. The situation has arisen from frozen federal funds, state funding reductions, and rising operational costs. "Programs we value — like arts and athletics, academic interventionists, counselors, social workers, and the 21st-century afterschool program — are at serious risk," Hanna warned. The district has faced a $2.2m funding cut due to unmet enrollment projections and an additional $550,000 loss from a state miscalculation. Rising costs in health insurance and utilities add to the financial strain, totaling over $6m in new expenses.

 

Tallahassee.com

Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP could significantly reduce the number of students eligible for the free lunch program at Brevard Public Schools. These changes may leave many students without access to essential meals, highlighting the critical link between government assistance programs and student nutrition. The implications of these cuts could be profound, affecting the well-being of countless children in the district.

 

Florida Today

Tampa will implement speed enforcement cameras outside 10 schools starting August 11, 2025, to enhance student safety. Initially, violators will receive warning notices, but from September 10, those exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph will face $100 fines. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw stated: “When drivers ignore speed limits in school zones, they put lives at risk.” The cameras will operate during designated school hours, with a grace period at the start of each window. The program's initial locations were chosen based on a school transportation safety study, considering factors like crash rates and student density. Future expansions are planned to include additional schools. A Back-to-School Town Hall will be held on July 15 to discuss the enforcement program and related safety topics.

 

Tampa Bay Fl News

According to a report by the Urban Institute, there has been a notable increase in college applications from Black and Latino students between fall 2023 and fall 2024, with Black applicants rising by 0.47% and Latino applicants by 0.65%. However, the report reveals a concerning trend: fewer of these students were admitted to colleges, marking the first decline in Black admissions since 2018 and in Latino admissions since 2021. Jason Cohn, a researcher at the Urban Institute, emphasized the importance of looking beyond enrollment numbers, stating, “One of the big takeaways for me is just how much can be hidden if you only look at the enrollment numbers and aren’t seeing what’s happening in the rest of the admissions pipeline.” This highlights the ongoing challenges faced by underrepresented groups in higher education.

 

EdSource

An independent investigation has found that Canada's N.W.T. government was slow to take action after lead was detected in school drinking water, because two of its departments failed to understand the health implications of the situation. Students, staff and parents at École William McDonald Middle School and Range Lake North School in Yellowknife found out on May 27 that there had been elevated levels of lead found in the drinking water at a single water fountain in each school.  The following month, further testing confirmed high levels of lead at both schools. In a statement Monday afternoon, Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland said the investigation confirmed "warning signs were missed, key test results weren't escalated quickly enough and communication between departments and with the public was inconsistent," adding: "These are serious systemic failures that affected both safety and trust. That is not acceptable. I take full responsibility for ensuring we fix it." She said changes are already underway, including developing a territory-wide testing program for water in schools, with public reporting.

 

CBC News