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Florida
4th May 2026
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THE HOT STORY

DeSantis signs bill to decertify unions

Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill aimed at decertifying partisan teacher unions. He said: "You should not have these entities operating if they do not have support from the people they purport to represent." The bill, SB 1296, also introduces a fast-track process for teacher salary increases, ensuring that funds go directly to teachers without union interference. Additionally, another bill, HB 1279, allows school districts to offer pay incentives to high-performing teachers in lower-performing schools, promoting educational equity. DeSantis emphasized the importance of these reforms, noting: "Now that power is flowing more readily to parents and students where it should be." The legislation also enhances parental rights in special education, ensuring transparency in service delivery. Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas supported the governor at the press conference.

FREE STATE READING PROGRAM

Florida Students Benefit from Free State Reading Program  

Florida students enrolled in New Worlds Reading are seeing promising literacy gains, according to state assessments. The free program delivers high-quality books and literacy resources to students who need extra reading support, with enrolled students scoring up to 15% higher on their state tests than their eligible, not enrolled peers last spring. With books and resources delivered directly to students’ homes and no additional lift for educators, New Worlds Reading helps districts extend instruction beyond the classroom, strengthen at-home reading practice, and improve literacy outcomes.

Explore how New Worlds can support your district’s literacy goals.

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Students to lead national effort to create AI policy for schools

Students and school leaders will collaborate this summer to develop a model AI policy for U.S. school districts, addressing a major gap as AI adoption in classrooms accelerates. The three-day workshop in Boston, hosted by MIT’s Day of AI, will bring together superintendents and students from across the country, with students taking the lead in drafting guidelines on AI use, privacy protections, and educational standards. Using a legislative-style simulation, participants will debate and build consensus on how AI should be integrated into schools. The initiative comes as most districts lack formal AI policies and teacher training remains limited, with surveys showing only a small share of educators have clear guidance on AI use. Organizers aim to capture student perspectives, recognizing that young people are often the earliest adopters of new technology and directly experience its benefits and risks. The resulting policy will be shared nationally, offering districts a framework to navigate AI use, while highlighting the importance of including student voices in shaping education policy.

WORKFORCE

Collier teachers push for salary increase

The Collier County School Board approved a wage proposal for teachers after extensive negotiations with the teachers' union. Many educators expressed frustration during a public hearing, with Chad Furman, a teacher at Naples High School, claiming: "We're finding it very difficult to, you know, pay the bills." Despite the district's claim that Collier County teachers are among the highest paid in Florida, Furman emphasized the need for salary increases to keep up with living costs. The district is facing a projected $42.2m deficit for the 2025-26 school year. The approved proposal includes a $1,350 raise for teachers on certain salary schedules, costing over $8.2m. School Board Chair Stephanie Lucarelli noted: "Collier County teachers will be getting the largest raise of all teachers in the state." The agreement now awaits ratification by the union.

Teacher dismissals clarified by Alachua County board

The Alachua County School Board addressed rumors regarding the dismissal of teachers, clarifying that non-renewals were due to poor performance or expired certifications, not favoritism. "There's nobody, non renewing someone to make room for a friend. That's not happening," said board member Sarah Rockwell. The board recently voted to close three elementary schools due to declining enrollment and funding shifts favoring charter and private schools. Deborah Terry, assistant superintendent of human resources, noted that the district issued 38 non-renewal notices this year, primarily for low performance. The district is also working to resolve discrepancies in certification issues affecting 43 teachers. Despite concerns from staff about favoritism, the board emphasized adherence to a collective bargaining agreement in the non-renewal process.

FINANCE

Lee County schools tackle budget crisis

During a press conference, Lee County School District Superintendent Carlin announced a shift away from "legacy spending," which has resulted in a $35m funding gap. "I want to be very clear about what we are doing. We are restoring fiscal discipline, cutting waste and putting the focus back where it belongs on students and classrooms," Carlin said. The district has already cut nearly $16m and proposed an additional $6.5m in reductions for the next fiscal year. Despite the budget cuts, Carlin assured that class sizes would not change, emphasizing that funding would be based on actual student enrollment. The district is facing a projected $46.7m deficit due to rising costs and declining enrollment, losing approximately 800 students since last year. Carlin said: "Over time, legacy spending created a $35m gap in allocations that were not tied to current student needs or enrollment." Protests have emerged in response to the budget cuts, with community members expressing concerns over transparency and the future of specialized student programs.

DISTRICTS

Indian River County schools shine bright

Indian River County Schools have been recognized as the best place to teach in Florida, according to a ranking by Niche, a national data and rankings company. This accolade reflects the district's commitment to supporting teachers and enhancing school leadership, as highlighted by Superintendent David Moore, who said: "This recognition speaks to the culture we have built across our schools." The ranking considers various factors, including pay, student-teacher ratios, and school support systems, alongside feedback from families and students. District officials believe this recognition will help attract and retain high-quality educators, showcasing the positive conditions within local schools.

New policy targets photo manipulation

The Escambia County School District is considering a new policy to address the modification of students' photos to create nude or sexually suggestive images, which would be classified under sexual harassment. Julie Harmon, whose daughter was a victim of such photo alterations, argues that the proposed penalties are insufficient, advocating for expulsion as a primary consequence. "I think it's mainly just their (EPCS) way of warning kids not to do it," Harmon said, emphasizing the long-term impact on victims, including anxiety and bullying. The new policy aligns with a Florida law enacted in 2025 that criminalizes the use of artificial intelligence to create sexual images without consent, allowing victims to sue offenders. 

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Controversial bus camera system returns to Miami-Dade

Miami-Dade Public Schools will this month reinstate its school bus camera enforcement program after it was suspended last year due to widespread errors that led to thousands of incorrect or unchallengeable traffic citations. The updated program, operated with BusPatrol and the sheriff’s office, includes legislative changes requiring local hearings for contested tickets, revised criteria for issuing violations, and additional oversight by deputies reviewing video evidence. The original rollout in 2024 generated significant controversy after drivers were wrongly fined for legal driving behavior, administrative failures invalidated thousands of tickets, and audits found inadequate contract vetting and coordination. The revised program will begin with a warning period before fines resume, as officials aim to restore trust while continuing efforts to deter illegal passing of stopped school buses.

Watch out: $225 school bus fines

Duval County Public Schools will now issue $225 citations for vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses equipped with AI-enhanced cameras. The cameras, installed on about 900 buses, will photograph vehicles that drive past when the stop-arm is extended. During an April warning period, police reviewed 803 potential violations and approved 609 warnings.

HIGHER EDUCATION

FGCU graduates break records in style

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) celebrated a historic graduation day as over 2,500 students received their diplomas, marking the largest graduating class in the university's history. Among the graduates was Stacey Charles, who reflected on her transformative journey, stating: "College is really scary. It's full of, like, just uncharted, unknown waters. But that doesn't mean that there isn't a destination at the end of it." Charles, who overcame social anxiety and became actively involved on campus, graduated with a GPA exceeding 3.5 and wore cords symbolizing her academic and extracurricular achievements. Her sister, also an FGCU graduate, expressed immense pride in Charles' accomplishments, highlighting her intelligence and ambition.

Alonso wins prestigious gates scholarship

Adniel Alonso, a senior at Flagler Palm Coast, has been awarded the prestigious Gates Scholarship, becoming one of only 750 recipients from 61,000 applicants. The scholarship, which covers all remaining college expenses, including room and board, is designed to support high-potential, low-income students. “You can basically consider it a full ride,” Alonso said, highlighting the scholarship's comprehensive coverage. Phil DeAugustino, the Guidance Department chair, noted the rarity of this achievement, stating: “It's just that difficult to get.” Alonso plans to major in electrical engineering at the University of Florida, expressing excitement about the opportunity and the resources provided by the scholarship, including funding for study abroad and internships.

AND FINALLY...

103-year-old earns high school diploma

Jo Edna Niblett, a 103-year-old woman, recently received her high school diploma after putting her education on hold to serve during World War II. Recognized by the Pickens County School District during the Class of 2026's Military Enlistee Ceremony on April 29, Niblett was honored for her resilience and patriotism. She worked at Bell Aircraft as a "Rosie the Riveter," contributing to the war effort by welding B-29 bombers. Superintendent Dr. Travis Thomas said, "This diploma represents more than academic achievement—it represents a lifetime of service, sacrifice, and strength." The ceremony celebrated Niblett's legacy and aimed to remind attendees of the importance of stepping up in times of need.
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