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Florida
18th May 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Diesel price surge strains U.S. school budgets

Soaring diesel prices linked to the Iran war are putting severe pressure on already stretched U.S. school district budgets, forcing many districts to dip into reserves, cut spending elsewhere, and reconsider transportation operations. Since December, diesel prices for U.S. fleets have jumped 67% to $5.52 per gallon, according to fleet management technology provider Samsara, adding an estimated $1.8bn to annual school bus operating costs nationwide. The financial strain reflects wider economic disruption caused by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has affected roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies and triggered one of the fastest fuel price increases on record. School bus operators consume more than 800m gallons of diesel annually in the US, making districts especially vulnerable to price swings. James Rowan, executive director of the Association of School Business Officials International, said the speed of the increases has made budgeting particularly difficult for schools. “Districts can plan for higher costs, but rapid swings in prices make it very difficult to budget accurately,” Rowan said.

FLORIDA COMPLIANCE GUIDE

Simplify Florida Training Compliance

Florida’s evolving training mandates can be hard to track and easy to miss. This Florida compliance guide highlights key topics like bullying prevention, mental health, and mandatory reporting to help districts ensure coverage and maintain compliance with confidence.

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NATIONAL NEWS

NAEP broadens state-level assessments across core subjects

The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) has approved plans to expand the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), commonly known as the Nation’s Report Card, by introducing additional state-level results in 12th grade math and reading, eighth and 12th grade civics, and eighth grade science. The move marks a sharp turnaround from concerns a year ago that the federal testing program could face cutbacks under the Trump administration after staffing reductions and canceled optional assessments. The new testing schedule, approved in a 16-3 vote, would begin rolling out in 2028, with eighth grade civics and 12th grade math and reading results available at the state level. Eighth grade science would follow in 2029, while a revised 12th grade civics exam would debut in 2032. Participation by states will remain voluntary, although NAGB is asking states to signal interest this summer. The expansion comes despite uncertainty over federal funding. The Trump administration’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget allocates $137m for NAEP, below the $193m Congress has recently provided.  

STATE NEWS

Florida teachers face tough times

Diane Roberts, writing in Florida Phoenix, argues Florida is devaluing teachers through low pay, weak raises, restrictions on unions, culture-war measures and the expansion of private-school choice. She says proposed teacher raises of about 1.5% fall short as educators earn around $56,000 on average, with some taking second or third jobs or leaving the profession. Roberts criticises Gov. Ron DeSantis’s public-sector union law, which requires at least 50% turnout and majority support to avoid decertification, while exempting police unions. She also says teachers face hostility over LGBTQ issues, race and history teaching, including pressure from some school boards and Moms for Liberty allies. Roberts argues vouchers and charter expansion are draining public schools, worsening enrolment declines and potentially forcing neighbourhood school closures.

LEGAL

YouTube and Snap settle youth mental health case

YouTube and Snap have reached settlements in a case concerning the mental health crisis among youth, which school districts claim the companies have exacerbated. The settlements, announced in federal court in Oakland, California, resolve claims from Breathitt County School District in Kentucky, which is still pursuing litigation against Meta Platforms and TikTok. A YouTube spokesperson stated: "This matter has been amicably resolved and our focus remains on building age-appropriate products and parental controls that deliver on that promise." The Breathitt County School District is seeking over $60m to address the mental health impacts of social media on students and to fund a long-term mental health program. This case serves as a bellwether for over a thousand similar lawsuits filed by school districts against social media companies.

DISTRICTS

Newberry's ultimatum for school expansion

The City of Newberry has threatened to delay the expansion of Oak View Middle School unless the Alachua County School District agrees to a development review related to the addition of portable classrooms. Mayor Tim Marden requested a traffic study and enrollment projections, emphasizing that the expansion must be approved by the city to meet the 2026-27 school year deadline. Interim Superintendent Kamala Patton countered that state law exempts school districts from needing local approval for temporary classroom facilities and noted that a traffic study is unnecessary due to minimal impact. The expansion is part of a broader plan as Newberry Elementary transitions to a charter school next year.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Brewing skills at Yellow Jackets' cafe

At the Yellow Jackets' Cafe, students from Weeki Wachee High School collaborate with younger Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students to operate a coffee delivery service for teachers and staff. This initiative, which runs every Tuesday and Thursday, provides hands-on job training for ESE students with various abilities. Anne McHugh, an ESE teacher, said the program aims to create leadership opportunities for older students while helping younger ones gain confidence. "The goal isn't to make a fortune but to build independence and the life skills they need for the future," McHugh stated. The cafe not only serves coffee and snacks but also allows students to learn valuable workplace skills, such as communication and inventory management. Proceeds from the cafe are reinvested into supplies and activities, enhancing the educational experience for all involved.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Free heart screenings save young athletes

In Tampa, hundreds of families attended a free clinic at the AdventHealth Training Center for heart screenings and sports physicals, in light of Florida's new Second Chance Act. This law, effective July 1, mandates that students in grades 9 through 12 undergo an electrocardiogram (EKG) before participating in interscholastic sports for the first time. The act is named after Chance Gainer, a Florida high school football player who tragically died from an undiagnosed heart condition. Dr. Anjlee Patel, a pediatric cardiologist, emphasized the importance of EKGs, stating: “You ask all the questions... and then you do this EKG and bam, something’s abnormal.” Over 700 student athletes participated, alleviating concerns about costs and insurance as the requirement approaches. Many parents and students expressed gratitude for the opportunity to ensure their heart health before the upcoming sports season.

Vaping crisis hits Palm Beach County

In Palm Beach County, officials are alarmed by the escalating teen vaping crisis, with devices frequently found in school bathrooms and backpacks. "We are at a tipping point," said Riviera Beach Police Chief Michael Coleman, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated action among police, school leaders, and health officials. The School District reports thousands of vaping-related incidents annually, with about 17% of Florida students admitting to vaping last year. Dr. Jyothi Gunta from the Palm Beach County Department of Health noted that local data suggests the county may be leading the state in vaping issues. Many teens are unaware of the dangers, including the potential presence of THC or fentanyl in their devices. The proximity of vape shops to schools exacerbates the problem, with some schools having multiple stores within walking distance. 

EARLY EDUCATION

New preschool option opens in Lake County

Starting in August 2026, Lake County will introduce a unique public preschool option at the Rimes Early Learning and Literacy Center in Leesburg, which will exclusively serve three- and four-year-olds. This initiative aims to enhance educational opportunities for young learners and address declining enrollment, which has dropped from 300 to 235 students. Superintendent Diane Kornegay emphasized the importance of early learning, stating: "It's been a priority for us to make sure that we increase access to early learning." The center will offer free voluntary pre-K programs, with additional hours at no cost, making it an attractive alternative to private preschools. Principal Dominique Ward highlighted the quality of instruction, noting: "It's big enough to have a variety of types of VPK classrooms, but small enough to feel like a nice private school."

HIGHER EDUCATION

Graduation glory: Daytona State shines

Daytona State College celebrated a historic milestone on May 12, awarding over 4,000 degrees to its Class of 2026 during three commencement ceremonies at the Ocean Center. Dr. Thomas LoBasso, the college president, emphasized the importance of perseverance, quoting Jackie Robinson: “Life is not a spectator sport. Each of you has proven that.” The graduating class included 4,026 students, with 329 Bachelor of Science degrees and 1,845 Associate of Arts degrees among others. Notably, the ceremony highlighted the Roberts family, with three generations graduating from Daytona State. Paula Morton, who graduated in 2001, expressed pride in her granddaughter Carlina's achievements, stating, “It is so important to have an affordable college option in this community.” A total of 1,085 students graduated with honors, showcasing the academic excellence of Daytona State's graduates.

INTERNATIONAL

Nova Scotia teachers warn specialist cuts will hit student support

The Nova Scotia Teachers Union has warned that planned cuts to specialist teaching roles, including resource teachers, math coaches and literacy support coaches, will reduce support for students and increase classroom pressures. Union president Peter Day said removing interventionist and specialist teachers would create significant gaps, particularly for students with diverse and complex needs, while worsening working conditions could push experienced teachers to leave the province. The Education Department said the changes would move more teachers into direct classroom roles, with no job losses among union members and affected staff redeployed into other education positions. Education Minister Brendan Maguire previously said 47 of the 150 affected roles had been vacant for years and would be removed through attrition.
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