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Florida
13th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Terrorism bill targets schools, students

Florida's new legislation, HB 1471, mandates that schools associated with designated terrorist organizations lose state-sponsored tuition vouchers, and students supporting such groups face expulsion. Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the bill, which allows him to classify groups as "domestic terrorist organizations." Bill sponsor Rep. Hillary Cassel said: "If you are a student that says, ‘I wanna hold my flag for a certified domestic terrorist organization,' and you try to promote other students into that organization, you can be expelled." The bill passed the House 80-25 and the Senate 25-11, amid concerns it unfairly targets specific religions. The legislation follows scrutiny of Islamic schools allegedly promoting Sharia law, with Attorney General James Uthmeier stating that taxpayer-funded vouchers for such schools "likely contravene Florida law and undermine our national security." A related bill, HB 1473, will also be sent to the governor.

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STATE NEWS

House passes crucial school safety bill

The House has approved HB 757, a significant school safety bill sponsored by Rep. Michelle Salzman, following a Senate vote. The bill aims to extend Florida's School Guardian Program to public colleges and universities, allowing trained faculty to carry weapons on campus. Sen. Don Gaetz emphasized the importance of the bill, stating, “We don't want to get hung up because the Board of Governors, the State University System, the state colleges asked for this bill. They believe that it's critical.” The legislation also mandates threat assessments and training for faculty to identify mental health warning signs. This comes in light of recent violent incidents, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures in educational institutions.

Florida's new bill sparks solar fears

Environmentalists are concerned that a new law in Florida will deter local governments, public schools, and state universities from pursuing solar energy and other cost-saving measures. The Florida Legislature has passed House Bill 1217, which prohibits these entities from adopting net-zero policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "The goal is to offset the planet-warming greenhouse gases they emit into the atmosphere," said Emily L. Mahoney, the energy reporter covering this issue. The bill is now awaiting the governor's approval, raising alarms about the future of solar initiatives in the state.

Florida Senate backs coach funding bill

The Florida Senate unanimously approved the Teddy Bridgewater Act, allowing K-12 head coaches to utilize up to $15,000 of personal funds for player support, including food, travel, and rehabilitation services. The bill, which passed with a 37-0 vote, was inspired by Teddy Bridgewater, who previously sought donations for his players' expenses while coaching at Miami Northwestern. After facing suspension for providing impermissible benefits, Bridgewater's initiative led to this legislative change aimed at protecting players from challenging conditions. The Florida House also passed the bill unanimously, and if signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, it will take effect on July 1.

GOVERNANCE

Empowering school board members in Florida

The "School Board Members' Bill of Rights" has successfully passed both chambers of the Florida Legislature, addressing concerns raised by Volusia County School Board member Donna Brosemer. The bill, which prohibits school districts from using non-disclosure agreements, empowers board members to access necessary records and staff to fulfill their oversight duties. Sen. Tom Leek, who authored the bill, emphasized its importance, stating: "The bill is important to protect the rights of school board members in the minority statewide, and provides fair access to information necessary for school board members to do their job."

LEGAL

Alachua County pays up for legal fees

The School Board of Alachua County has agreed to pay $82,500 to Newberry Community School to cover legal fees incurred during an unsuccessful appeal regarding the school's charter approval. This payment follows a petition filed by Newberry Community School with the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings, which sought $91,418 in legal expenses due to the district's appeal. The Charter School Review Commission had previously approved the school's charter application, obligating the local district to act as the sponsor. Despite this, the School Board appealed the decision, which was ultimately denied by the State Board of Education.

Duval County Schools get legal boost

The Duval County School District has received unanimous support from the state Legislature for charter changes that will allow it to hire its own general counsel, a move aimed at attracting top legal talent. "The change is needed to compete for top-tier legal talent," said the Duval County School Board. Previously, the board relied on the city's Office of General Counsel for legal advice.

DISTRICTS

Reviving enrollment: a new strategy

To address declining enrollment, the Osceola County School District is collaborating with consulting firm Caissa K-12 to initiate a targeted recruitment campaign. Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff emphasized that school closures are not being considered, stating that "capacity levels are in a healthy spot." The partnership aims to engage families of students who are not currently enrolled in Osceola County District public schools or charter schools.

Orange County community backs current school start times

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) plans to submit a report to the Florida Department of Education to maintain current school start times after community feedback indicated that 60% of respondents preferred no changes. The district's existing schedule has high schools starting at 7:20 a.m., elementary schools at 8:45 a.m., and middle schools at 9:30 a.m.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Unlocking futures at new Santa Rosa innovation center

Santa Rosa District Schools is set to inaugurate the Santa Rosa Center for Innovation, a cutting-edge facility aimed at enhancing hands-on career and technical education for students. The grand opening will take place on March 31, featuring a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony followed by an Open House.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Rising concern over e-bike accidents

In response to rising concerns over e-bike accidents, Florida's Legislature has passed a bill to establish a task force aimed at promoting safe micromobility practices. The bill, which has bipartisan support, mandates data collection on micromobility crashes, including rider age and licensing status. With approximately 3,000 accidents involving pedestrians, bikes, or motorcycles reported in 2024, law enforcement agencies are increasingly focusing on e-scooter safety. The Collier County Sheriff's Office has urged parents to ensure their children wear helmets and monitor their e-bike usage. As states like New Jersey implement stricter regulations, Florida's new legislation seeks to balance safety and accessibility for e-bike riders.

Parents demand answers after bus scare

Parents in Brevard County are expressing their frustration and concern following a near-collision between a school bus and a train crossing arm. The incident, which left families shaken, occurred at the intersection of Hickory Street and NASA Boulevard. Brevard Public Schools explained that the bus driver reversed off the tracks after the crossing arm malfunctioned, but rail safety advocates, like Jim Kovalsky from the Florida East Coast Railway Society, question the circumstances surrounding the incident.  

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Measles outbreak surges in Florida

Florida has reported eight additional measles cases, bringing the total for 2026 to 132, according to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). Most cases are among individuals aged 15 to 24, particularly linked to an outbreak at Ave Maria University. The state now has the third-highest measles rate in the U.S., following South Carolina and Utah.

TECHNOLOGY

Classroom tech needs restraint

Research on classroom technology shows mixed results, with outcomes shaped more by how tools are used than by how many devices schools provide. Studies cited in the text link frequent classroom tech use to lower test scores, including one finding that fourth graders who often used tablets scored about nine points lower, “roughly equivalent to a year of learning.” At the same time, some evidence shows benefits when technology supports research, targeted apps, teacher collaboration, and lesson planning. The overall message is that moderate, well-guided use appears most effective.

Student AI misuse raises concerns

Securly’s review of nearly 1.2m student interactions with generative AI found that about 20% involved cheating, bullying, self-harm, or other problematic behavior, while 2% signaled possible safety risks such as violence or cyberbullying. Most flagged misuse centered on students trying to get AI to do their schoolwork. Tammy Wincup, chief executive of Securly, said: “When a district actually sets some guardrails and policies around their AI usage in schools, 80% of the conversations happening are within the district's policies.” The findings highlight both the scale of student experimentation with AI and the need for stronger oversight.

INTERNATIONAL

Ford government launches C$750 classroom supply fund for Ontario elementary teachers

The Ontario government has announced that elementary school homeroom teachers will receive C$750 ($552) per year for classroom supplies starting in the 2026–27 school year, under a new “Classroom Supplies Fund” to be included in the province’s upcoming budget. Teachers will be able to access the funds through a provincial online ordering system, allowing them to purchase commonly used classroom materials, such as notebooks, writing supplies, calculators, arts and crafts materials, tissues, and classroom decorations, which will be delivered directly to schools. Premier Doug Ford said the initiative is designed to end the practice of teachers paying for basic supplies out of their own pockets. Education Minister Paul Calandra said teachers and school boards will be consulted on which materials should be available through the system.
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