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Florida
12th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Unions under fire: Florida's SB 1296

The Florida Legislature has passed SB 1296, a controversial bill that labor advocates argue could severely undermine public sector unions. Despite significant bipartisan opposition, hundreds of public workers, including teachers and police officers, rallied against the measure. The bill, which now awaits Governor Ron DeSantis's signature, alters union certification elections, requiring at least 50% of public employees in a bargaining unit to participate. House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell said: "We should be strengthening the ability of public employees to use their voice, not constructing a system designed to silence it." The bill's sponsor, Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, contends that the right to collectively bargain belongs to public employees, not unions. Concerns have been raised regarding potential violations of free speech and collective bargaining rights, particularly for public safety employees.

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WORKFORCE

Education cuts draw criticism

Lawmakers, union leaders, and education advocates said workforce reductions at the U.S. Department of Education have harmed operations instead of improving efficiency. They pointed to disrupted programmes, abandoned student loan assistance cases, weaker oversight of loan servicers, and expanding civil rights complaint backlogs. Although some staff have been rehired and Congress rejected most proposed fiscal 2026 funding cuts, critics warned that moving programmes to other agencies could further erode support and accountability. Sen. Mazie Hirono said the administration is “setting these programs that our kids rely on up for failure.”

Belonging drives student success

Three finalists for the 2026–27 National Middle School Principal of the Year award said a strong sense of belonging helps improve attendance, behavior, and academic performance. Deborah Dennie used incentives and community partnerships to raise attendance at Leonardtown Middle School to 94.5% from 93%. Sonia Ruiz relied on student surveys and a “2x10” relationship-building strategy, while David Wiedlich focused on making sure every student was personally connected to at least one adult. Together, their approaches show how intentional relationships can strengthen student engagement and outcomes.

Payroll blunder leaves employees in chaos

Volusia County Schools has faced significant payroll issues due to a technical error in its new FOCUS system, resulting in over 9,000 employees receiving excess retroactive pay. Matt Kuhn, chief technology officer for VCS, said: "There were a small number where we couldn't get it out of their bank account," referring to the 152 employees from whom funds could not be recouped. Union president Elizabeth Albert emphasized that these problems are widespread, affecting various job categories and creating "instability, anxiety and confusion." Teacher Robin Bradshaw highlighted the personal impact of payroll errors, saying: "For many of us, our paycheck is not just a number on a screen." Superintendent Carmen Balgobin acknowledged the ongoing issues and expressed regret for the toll it has taken on employees, promising to implement measures to prevent future mistakes.

Union bill sparks backlash

Teachers challenged Leon County School School Board Member Laurie Cox over her support for Florida labor bill SB 1296, arguing it would weaken public sector unions and harm educators’ ability to organize. Cox said the measure is intended to “bring about accountability” and not eliminate unions, while defending earlier remarks that teacher unions can delay salary increases. The confrontation came just after the union and school board tentatively agreed to a $2.3m salary package and other benefits. Board members also moved to study possible tax initiatives to support future teacher pay.

TECHNOLOGY

Evidence gap in classroom tech

An analysis by Instructure and InnovateEDU found that most digital tools used in K–12 classrooms lack research showing they improve student learning. Reviewing 150 widely used technologies from August to December 2025, researchers found that 60% of education-specific tools and 98% of general consumer tools failed to meet ESSA evidence standards. Only 2% reached the top evidence tier, while just 21% showed clear positive outcomes above the lowest level. The findings also point to uneven performance on privacy, interoperability, and accessibility benchmarks.

AI takes over Treasure Coast

AI has become an integral part of daily life for many on the Treasure Coast, including students, teachers, and law enforcement. Initially met with hesitation, school districts and sheriff's offices have seen their staff grow more comfortable with the technology over time. Olivia Franklin, TCPalm's trending reporter, highlighted the shift, stating that "employees have become familiar with the technology." TCPalm has produced various articles, videos, and photo galleries showcasing AI's impact in the region.

LEGAL

South Florida links to Carvalho investigation

A federal investigation involving Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, has revealed a significant connection to South Florida. The investigation centers on AllHere Education, a now-bankrupt company that secured a $6m contract with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Records indicate that AllHere employed several South Florida consultants, including Daisy Gonzalez-Diego, who was Carvalho's spokesperson in Miami-Dade. Despite no charges filed, the investigation has raised questions, particularly following a raid on a Broward County home.

DISTRICTS

Orange County Schools face closure crisis

The Orange County School Board has approved the closure of seven schools due to declining enrollment, which has made it financially unfeasible to keep them open. The affected schools, including Union Park Middle School and several elementary schools, will close at the end of the 2025-26 school year, impacting around 3,200 students. The district has lost approximately 5,600 students this year and anticipates further losses, attributing the decline to increased use of state-funded vouchers for private education and declining birth rates. 

New strategic plan for Flagler Schools

Flagler Schools are set to implement a new strategic plan that will guide the district's objectives for the next three years. The plan focuses on five key areas: academics, safety and resiliency, talent, organizational efficiency and fiscal responsibility, and communication and engagement. Community input sessions are planned for April, with the final approval of the plan expected by August or September. Key priorities include improving kindergarten readiness, addressing chronic absenteeism, and enhancing communication with parents.

Discipline decisions shake up schools

The Leon County School Board unanimously approved Superintendent Rocky Hanna's recommendations for student discipline, impacting 51 students. This includes extended suspensions for 33 students, alternative school placements for 9, and expulsions for another 9. Hanna emphasized that these decisions were made due to "an upper trend and aggressive behaviors by our students coming out of the pandemic." The board also discussed a controversial state bill, Senate Bill 1296, which aims to change how public sector unions are certified and regulated. Board member Laurie Cox expressed her belief that unions have become a "roadblock" for teachers, prompting concerns from the Leon Classroom Teachers Association about the implications of the bill.

Brevard schools break ground on new facility

Brevard Public Schools is set to enhance its educational facilities with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new building at Bayside High School on March 17. This initiative marks a significant advancement in the district's commitment to improving educational infrastructure.

EXAMS

Leon County Schools see learning gains

The Leon County Schools district is analyzing student learning gains after two years of implementing the FAST testing model, which includes three exams throughout the year to monitor progress. Mid-year results indicate proficiency increases in reading and math across most grade levels. The data shows that third graders experienced a 1% increase in reading and a 6% increase in math proficiency. Other grades also showed varying improvements, with some areas seeing increases of 1% to 6%. However, it is essential to note that this data represents a midyear checkpoint, and the final exam, PM 3, is scheduled for May.

STUDENTS

Miami scholarships open for students

Miami-Dade County students can now apply for over $2m in scholarships through The Miami Foundation, which aims to support diverse academic pursuits. With deadlines starting in March 2026, students are encouraged to apply early to maximize financial aid. “Distributing scholarships to provide resources to well-deserving students in Miami? Challenge accepted!” said Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, president and CEO of The Miami Foundation. The foundation has also expanded online resources, including a Financial Aid Help Desk and a college cost calculator, to assist students and families. Last year, the foundation helped 888 students access $2.29m in scholarships.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Future healthcare stars shine bright

Approximately 70 high school students from Brevard Public Schools participated in Student Exploration Day at Health First Viera Hospital, gaining valuable insights into healthcare careers. The event featured hands-on sessions where students interacted with healthcare professionals and explored various roles within a hospital setting.

SAFETY & SECURITY

School threats surge in Volusia County

School threats in Volusia County are escalating, prompting local law enforcement to adopt a more aggressive stance. Sheriff Mike Chitwood has publicly arrested students to demonstrate the consequences of such actions, a strategy that initially reduced incidents in 2024 but has since lost its effectiveness. In the current 2023-24 school year, there have already been 23 threats reported, compared to 35 last year. Chitwood stated: "The whole point of publishing their perp walks is to show to both kids and their parents, the consequences are real, but it isn’t working." Despite increased tips, the issue persists, raising concerns about the underlying causes of these threats.
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