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On Thursday, a coalition of nearly 600 local, state and national organizations representing districts, teachers, families, and students, in signing a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Office of Management Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, asking them to facilitate the speedy release of over $6.8bn in federal education funds for ESSA Title programs I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, and IV-B. “These programs serve more than 95,000 K-12 schools and 55m students, as well as 1.2m adult learners. The delays are forcing schools to lay off staff, cancel professional development, eliminate afterschool and summer programs, and scramble to prepare for the upcoming school year without the resources they were promised,” the letter stated, adding: “With just weeks before schools reopen, this funding delay is sabotaging student learning, educator preparedness, and essential services—particularly for English learners, rural students, and families with the greatest need." The July 1 disbursements to states are seen as critical for the institutions that educate and support young people and adult learners across the country. The letter's sentiment were echoed in a separate missive on Thursday to McMahon and Vought from seventeen Democratic state governors describing the funding freeze as "unacceptable," and detrimental to school operations and student services. Signatories included Katie Hobbs of Arizona, Gavin Newsom of California, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, and Daniel McKee of Rhode Island.

 

Allied For Progress - Press Release

Allied For Progress - Letter to Secretary McMahon and Director Vought

Florida high school seniors now have increased testing options to fulfill graduation requirements, as the State Board of Education has expanded the list of alternative exams. Participation in these alternatives has risen significantly, with over 40% of students opting for them in 2024, compared to 31% four years ago. Additionally, the board has established new passing scores for students taking alternatives to the state's end-of-course algebra and 10th-grade reading exams. This change aims to provide more pathways for students to achieve their diplomas.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Anastasios Kamoutsas, Florida's new Education Commissioner, emphasized his commitment to eliminating indoctrination in schools during his inaugural speech to the State Board of Education. He quoted the Book of Psalms, stating: “The children are a gift from the Lord,” and expressed the importance of collaboration among parents, teachers, and superintendents. Kamoutsas has issued letters to parents outlining their rights and warned superintendents of potential consequences for violations. He said: "Florida is the education state because we have removed indoctrination from instruction," highlighting recent improvements in school ratings and student performance. Kamoutsas, who previously served as deputy chief of staff for Governor Ron DeSantis, succeeds Manny Diaz and aims to shape education policy amid ongoing national scrutiny.

 

Creative Loafing Tampa

A significant increase in drivers contesting school zone speeding tickets in Palm Bay has strained the city's resources. Officials are now seeking additional funding to address the growing legal backlog. As the situation escalates, city officials emphasize the need for support to manage the influx of challenges, stating that the current resources are insufficient to handle the volume.

 

Fox 35 Orlando

Fox 35 Orlando

Miami-Dade County Public Schools is grappling with a $35m budget shortfall due to frozen federal grants. Superintendent Jose Dotres highlighted the need for increased advocacy in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., remarking: "We are headed into a different footprint of advocacy." He recently met with Senator Ashley Moody to discuss the importance of these funds for innovative programs that keep public schools competitive. The district is preparing for the worst-case scenario, as board member Steve Gallon noted: “We pray for the best, but we have to be mindful of what potential Armageddon could come.” Dotres has already begun cutting expenses, including delaying teacher training and pausing non-essential spending. The district is also exploring alternative funding sources while awaiting the release of the frozen grants, which support critical programs for English language learners and migrant education.

 

The Miami Herald

Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) has raised alarms over "significant financial shortfalls" due to state funding cuts and a freeze on federal education grants. Superintendent Fred Heid clarified: "Simply put, our district is being asked to do more with less — and the ones who stand to lose the most are our students." The district faces an immediate $2.5m shortfall linked to dual-enrollment funding errors affecting nearly 25,000 Florida students. Additionally, $45.7m is being diverted to private and charter schools. The U.S. Department of Education's freeze on nearly $7bn in federal funds puts $20m of PCPS funding at risk, impacting essential programs and over 125 staff positions. Heid emphasized that "every dollar lost translates to reduced capacity to serve our students." The district is advocating for state and federal support to navigate these challenges, as the school year approaches.

 

Lakeland Ledger

Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced plans to advocate for increased teacher salaries during the next legislative session. He highlighted that 71% of graded schools received an ‘A’ or ‘B’ rating, a rise from 64% the previous year. “That is great progress,” DeSantis stated, attributing improvements to a shift away from high-stakes testing towards progress monitoring. The recent budget allocates $1.36 bn specifically for teacher salaries, a compromise between the House and Senate. DeSantis expressed optimism for a better outcome next year, urging educators to communicate with their state representatives. He also recognized Florida’s five Teacher of the Year finalists, emphasizing the importance of exceptional service to students. “I’m really excited to be able to recognize the educators,” he said.

 

Florida Politics

The Florida Supreme Court has allowed a potential class-action lawsuit to proceed, concerning whether the University of Florida should refund students for services not provided during the COVID-19 campus shutdown in 2020. In a 5-2 decision, the court overturned a previous ruling by the 1st District Court of Appeal, which had dismissed the case based on sovereign immunity. The Supreme Court emphasized that sovereign immunity does not apply to breach-of-contract claims, stating, “Indeed, the appeals court ruling's reasoning suggests that government contracts are held to a standard that does not apply to any other contracts.” The case, led by plaintiff Anthony Rojas, remains unresolved regarding whether refunds will be granted, as the court noted that the issue of sovereign immunity could still be litigated further. Similar lawsuits have emerged across Florida following the pandemic-related campus closures.

 

The Gainesville Sun