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Florida
8th May 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Canvas breach disrupts schools

Canvas, used by more than 8,000 universities and K-12 schools, was disabled for several hours Thursday after ShinyHunters claimed a breach at parent company Instructure. The outage hit schools including Harvard and the University of Michigan as students prepared for or took finals. Instructure said most users had regained access late Thursday, though Canvas Beta and Canvas Test remained in maintenance. The company disclosed a “cybersecurity incident perpetrated by a criminal threat actor” on May 1. Steve Proud, Instructure’s chief information security officer, said compromised data included names, email addresses, student ID numbers and Canvas messages, but not passwords, birthdays, government identifiers or financial information. ShinyHunters claimed access to data from more than 275m people across nearly 9,000 schools and threatened further leaks. Broward County Public Schools posted on X that the system's access was blocked districtwide to protect its data. Florida International University also alerted students that Canvas would be unavailable due to the cybersecurity incident.

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.

 

TECHNOLOGY

Schools rethink classroom technology

School districts across the U.S. are scaling back classroom technology use after spending billions on laptops, tablets, and educational software during the pandemic, amid growing concerns about student attention spans, academic performance, and excessive screen time. Schools spent between $15bn and $35bn in federal pandemic relief funding on education technology between 2020 and 2024 according to the Edunomics Lab, and by last school year, 88% of public schools reported providing every student with a device. However, at least a dozen states have since proposed or adopted policies limiting in-school screen time, including restrictions on virtual instruction and device use for younger students. Districts in Los Angeles, Utah, Iowa, Missouri, and Tennessee are among those introducing new rules or reconsidering classroom technology practices after pressure from parents and educators.

FINANCE

Flagler schools face funding crisis

Flagler Schools are facing a significant financial challenge as they have lost 1,926 students to Family Empowerment Scholarships this year, resulting in an estimated loss of $400,000 in state funding. Chief Financial Officer Patty Wormeck explained that the third quarter calculation, which determines funding for the fiscal year, is based on October's enrollment count. Superintendent LaShakia Moore acknowledged the impact of this loss, stating: “$400,000 is a big deal,” especially considering other financial strains like increased fuel costs and health insurance premiums. Despite the decline, the district can manage the loss due to a $10.2m unrestricted general fund balance reserve. However, the trend of students leaving for scholarships has raised concerns about future enrollment, with projections indicating that Flagler Schools may not reach the anticipated 14,000 students this year.

Budget cuts cast shadow on appreciation

During Teacher Appreciation Week, the Lee County School District faces a nearly $47m budget deficit, causing concern among parents. Chelsea Gamache, a parent at Pine Island Elementary School, expressed her appreciation for the teachers, stating: "They give everything to the school, to the kids, to the families, to the community." Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin assured that critical programs and staff will be prioritized despite the budget realignment. Parents like Rachael White acknowledged the challenges but praised the teachers' dedication, saying: "We know these cuts are challenging, we know they're hard, but they still come every day with the same great attitude."  

WORKFORCE

Broward County Schools get $254m boost

Broward County School Board members unanimously voted to allocate approximately $254.3m from a countywide referendum to support employees directly impacting students, including teachers and school safety personnel. If approved by voters on Novemebr 3, the funds will be distributed through negotiations between unions and the school district. The latest National Education Association report revealed that Florida ranks last in teacher salaries, with an average of $56,600 in 2025, compared to the national average of $74,400. Hixon noted that the referendum aims to address pay equity for the lowest-paid staff, as the district faces declining enrollment and state funding challenges. The referendum will be on the ballot for the upcoming elections.

DISTRICTS

Unified sports faces uncertain future

The Lee County School District's consolidation plan for special education students is raising concerns about the future of Unified Sports, which has thrived in the area for a decade. Todd Dusenberry, a life skills teacher and coach, expressed that the plan could be "a death sentence to Unified Sports in Lee County." The district aims to address a $92.4m budget shortfall by centralizing special education services, which may limit access to Unified Sports for many students. Nathan Shaker, the district's chief academic officer, stated that the goal is to provide "better services" through specialized sites. However, stakeholders like Don Payne, the athletic coordinator for Special Olympics, worry that this change could reduce opportunities for students with disabilities. The program has seen significant growth, with 42 schools participating and around 1,200 athletes involved annually.  

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Better ventilation and cleaning may reduce student sick days

A large U.S. school district study found that district-wide renovations, upgraded HVAC systems, improved ventilation, and better cleaning practices were associated with fewer student absences caused by respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses. The study tracked 45,428 students across 1,217 school days, covering seven school years and renovations at 45 schools. Researchers found that more than one-third of respiratory illness absences could potentially be reduced by keeping school facilities updated and meeting recommended ventilation standards. The findings also suggest that more frequent cleaning may help reduce gastrointestinal illness absences, while cooler classroom temperatures and higher absolute humidity could provide additional health benefits. Researchers said the results show that maintaining strong indoor environmental quality in schools can reduce infectious disease transmission and improve attendance.

New high school construction approved

A new high school in northeast Polk County is set to move forward after the Polk County School Board unanimously approved a comprehensive agreement with Fortress Secured LLC. The board had previously voted to spend $10m on 72.3 acres for the school site. District officials emphasized the urgent need for the new facility, as current high schools in the area are over capacity. This project marks the first public-private partnership for the Polk district. The district will pay Fortress $6.5m in pre-development fees, aiming for the school to open by fall 2028. Additionally, Superintendent Fred Heid proposed a performance-based bonus plan tied to various achievement metrics, stating he would share any bonus with district staff.

EARLY EDUCATION

Teachers face new behavior challenges

As classrooms reopen, teachers like Andrea Quinn are facing unprecedented behavioral challenges among young students, particularly those affected by the pandemic. Quinn noted: "They're just so much more physical," highlighting the increase in disruptive behaviors. A report from the National Center for Education Statistics revealed that 65% of elementary schools reported a need for more training in classroom management, up from 51% in 2022. Experts, including Wendy Reinke from the University of Missouri, emphasize that the pandemic has disrupted children's social-emotional development, leading to more severe behavior issues. Schools are divided on how to address these challenges, with some adopting restorative practices while others push for stricter disciplinary measures.

Potty training policy sparks debate

As parents prepare for kindergarten registration in Pasco County a new policy may require students to be potty trained before attending class. Superintendent John Legg emphasized the growing issue, stating: "It puts a tremendous stress on our kindergarten teachers to have kindergarteners and first graders in diapers."

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Parents demand safer school buses

Parents in Marion County are increasingly concerned about school bus safety following two alarming incidents within a week. A fatal crash occurred when a school bus collided with a pickup truck, resulting in the death of a 76-year-old man, while four students and staff on the bus were unharmed. Additionally, dashcam footage revealed another bus running a red light with seven students aboard. Parents expressed disappointment not only over the incidents but also regarding the school district's response. A spokesperson for Marion County Schools stated that the driver involved in the fatal crash has been removed from driving duties pending further investigation. Meanwhile, in Sumter County, another bus driver faces 29 counts of child neglect after a bus was struck by a train, although no children were injured in that incident.

LEGAL

Teacher arrested for drug charges

Christopher D. Toukonen, a 44-year-old teacher at Lely High School and former head football coach at Palmetto Ridge High School, was arrested on felony drug charges after authorities found a mixture of fentanyl and cocaine in his backpack. The discovery was made by school staff who contacted law enforcement immediately. Sheriff Kevin Rambosk praised the quick actions of the school staff, stating: “Thanks to the swift actions of school staff and our deputies and detectives, this situation was addressed immediately.” Toukonen is also charged with possession of narcotic paraphernalia. The investigation is ongoing, and no students were present during the incident.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Florida's colleges may bar undocumented students

The Florida Department of Education has proposed a rule that would restrict admission to state community colleges to only U.S. citizens and those with lawful immigration status. This rule, which could be implemented as early as May, requires applicants to provide "clear and convincing documentation" of their status. Governor Ron DeSantis and the Republican-led Legislature have prioritized immigration enforcement, previously eliminating in-state tuition for undocumented students. Yareliz Mendez-Zamora, policy coordinator for American Friend Service Committee, said: “This would affect students that the state of Florida has already invested in.” The Florida Policy Institute estimates that denying access to undocumented students could cost the state up to $15m and worsen enrollment rates, impacting the economy and workforce. Samuel Santiago, a former Valencia College student, criticized the proposal as "cheap and shameful," emphasizing that it targets vulnerable members of the community.
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