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Florida
9th July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Florida faces funding questions

Florida's school choice program, initiated in 1999, has come under fire due to a recent audit revealing that the Florida Department of Education cannot account for $270m spent on the program. The audit also highlighted a lack of clarity regarding the schools attended by over 30,000 K-12 students. State Senator Don Gaetz, a proponent of school choice, attempted to introduce reforms during the 2026 legislative session, but his proposals were rejected. The program has evolved significantly, especially with the passage of House Bill 1 in March 2023, which expanded eligibility for education savings accounts. Critics argue that this redirection of funds undermines public schools, while supporters claim it enhances student achievement. However, evidence regarding the program's effectiveness remains inconclusive.

STATE NEWS

Florida voters back property tax amendment

A recent survey by Sachs Media reveals that nearly 64% of Florida voters would support the "Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes" amendment if an election were held today. The poll, conducted from June 22-24, 2026, included 850 voters and has a margin of error of ±3.8%. Support for the amendment varies significantly by party affiliation, with 87% of Republicans, 62% of independents, and only 35% of Democrats in favor. The amendment aims to exempt the first $250,000 of a homestead's value from taxation, requiring local governments to allocate remaining property taxes for essential services. Supporters argue it would help fixed-income families, while opponents warn it could lead to increased fees elsewhere. If approved, the amendment would take effect on January 1, 2027.

DeSantis' culture wars backfire in court

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has faced significant backlash over his education policies, particularly the Stop WOKE Act, which aimed to eliminate "woke" ideology from public education. Recently, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit upheld a ruling that struck down parts of this law, stating it does not withstand scrutiny under the First Amendment's protection of speech. The court noted: "The ideas Florida targets may well be noxious. Or maybe not. Either way, in this context the First Amendment trusts students to figure it out for themselves." Additionally, DeSantis' efforts to decertify teacher unions faced a setback when the United Teachers of Dade narrowly avoided decertification. The Miami-Herald argues that these developments highlight the real consequences of Florida's culture wars in education, raising concerns about the impact on teachers and students alike.

SAFETY & SECURITY

DeSantis cuts $15m for school security

Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed $15m in state funding intended for security upgrades at Catholic schools in South Florida, disappointing local leaders who sought the funding for the first time. DeSantis approved a $117.6bn budget but rejected the security grants, saying that private schools already receive substantial state voucher scholarship money and warning against setting a bad precedent. Meanwhile, DeSantis did approve a separate $15m for security at Jewish day schools, citing specific threats following the October 7 attack on Israel.

NATIONAL NEWS

Education Department proposes ending school desegregation support program

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed eliminating the nation's Equity Assistance Centers (EACs), renewing efforts by the Trump administration to shut down the federally funded program despite previous legal challenges. The department argues that the regional structure created under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is no longer necessary and is considering transferring some services to the Department of Justice as part of a broader restructuring of civil rights enforcement. The proposal follows earlier attempts to end the program, including funding cuts and grant terminations that prompted lawsuits. Critics argue the centers remain in high demand, pointing to assistance provided to hundreds of school districts and schools, while warning the move comes as research shows racial and economic segregation in U.S. public schools has increased over recent decades. The public comment period on the proposal closes July 27.

LEGAL

Lawsuit claims Rep. Donalds threatened school board member

Kelly Mason, a Florida school board member, has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, alleging he threatened her during a confrontation at a Naples grocery store in August 2022. The lawsuit claims Donalds "aggressively cornered" Mason and made her fear for her safety, stating: "Defendant's words, demeanor, physical position, and coordinated actions were calculated to place Plaintiff in immediate fear of bodily harm." Mason's attorney, Anthony Sabatini, argues that Donalds violated state law by instilling a "well-founded fear" of imminent violence. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for emotional distress and anxiety but does not allege any physical harm. Donalds, who is running for governor, has dismissed the lawsuit as a "baseless, politically motivated attack." Mason has been on the Collier County school board since November 2022 and is seeking re-election this year.

DISTRICTS

Lee County schools soar to success

The Lee County School District has shown significant improvement in its recent report card for the 2025-2026 school year, with 34% of schools earning an "A," 30% a "B," and 36% a "C." Notably, no schools received a "D" or "F," marking a positive shift from the previous year. A total of 29 schools improved their grades, with J. Colin English Elementary, Hancock Creek Elementary, and San Carlos Park Elementary jumping two letter grades to "A." The district attributed its success to factors such as increased teacher pay, targeted support, and a ban on cell phone use during class. Moving forward, the district plans to enhance its focus on middle and high schools to further boost student achievement, according to Rob Spicker, the director of communications for the Lee County School District.

Flagler County schools on the rise

Flagler County School Board member Janie Ruddy recently discussed the district's achievements and challenges in an interview with Observer Now. The district has earned an A rating for the first time since 2019, a significant milestone that reflects the hard work of students and staff. Ruddy emphasized the importance of preparing students for national competition, stating: "My commitment as a School Board member is making sure our students can compete nationally." Despite financial pressures and the impact of COVID-19 on education, she believes the district is on a positive trajectory. Ruddy also addressed the importance of school safety, the role of artificial intelligence in education, and the need for accountability in school choice programs.  

Learning with rescued animals at school

Solid Rock Community School in Tarpon Springs is redefining education by integrating a unique learning environment through its Sanctuary at Solid Rock. This sanctuary, home to rescued animals, provides students with hands-on experiences that connect classroom lessons to real-world applications. Michele Fasnacht, Founder of Solid Rock Community School, said: "Some of the most meaningful lessons a child will ever learn don't come from a textbook."

GOVERNANCE

Six semifinalists vie for top job

Miami-Dade County's school board has narrowed down its search for a new superintendent to six semifinalists, selected from a pool of 21 applicants. The candidates include Jose Bueno, Ernie Lozano from Broward County Public Schools, Sylvia Mitchell, Carlos Perez, Christopher Ruszkowski, and Rafael Villalobos. Notably, some high-profile applicants, such as Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero, did not qualify due to lacking required teaching experience.

Candidates face off in Lee County

The Lee County School Board candidate forum is set to take place today at Florida Gulf Coast University, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Lee County in collaboration with WGCU and The News-Press. This event provides candidates an opportunity to discuss their platforms, which focus on fiscal transparency, teacher retention, and parental rights amid a $92.4m budget deficit. Four board seats from Districts 1, 4, 5, and 6 will be contested, with the primary election on August 18.  

Meet Tomoka's new principal

Kelly Moore has been appointed as the new principal of Tomoka Elementary, bringing 15 years of educational experience, including her recent role as assistant principal at Chisholm Elementary. Moore, who has deep ties to the Ormond Beach area, plans to implement a gifted magnet program by the 2026-2027 school year, focusing on critical thinking and hands-on projects.

Florida's longest serving superintendent announces retirement

Diane Kornegay, the longest-serving appointed superintendent in Florida, has announced her retirement at the end of the 2026-27 school year after over 35 years in education. "Deciding to retire has been one of the most difficult decisions of my career," Kornegay said. Under her leadership since 2017, graduation rates in Lake County Schools increased from 88% to 96%, the highest in the district's history.  

HEALTH & SAFETY

Students rally against fake turf

More than a hundred students, parents, and teachers are urging the Miami-Dade School Board to halt the installation of synthetic turf in schools due to health and environmental concerns. Michele Drucker, president of Florida Green Schools, highlighted the issue, saying: "Particularly concerning is the documented heat impact, with synthetic turf surfaces reaching temperatures 48–90°F higher than natural grass fields."

NUTRITION

USDA continues investment in farm-to-school partnerships

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the second cohort of its FY 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, awarding funding to 16 projects that will increase the use of locally sourced ingredients in school meals and expand agricultural education through initiatives such as school gardens and farm visits. The awards are part of nearly $20 million allocated this year to support 68 projects across 37 states. The latest grants come as the USDA begins updating school nutrition standards to align with the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend reducing ultra-processed foods. The department said the program will help schools expand scratch-made meals while creating new market opportunities for local farmers.

INTERNATIONAL

Quebec exam portal stumbles

Thousands of students and parents across Quebec were temporarily unable to access official provincial exam results on Tuesday after technical problems affected the Government Authentication Service (SAG) portal used by the Ministry of Education. The outage, which also disrupted phone lines, prevented users from logging in to view ministry exam scores. Education Minister Sonia LeBel said ministry teams worked throughout the day to resolve the issue, and by the afternoon the online portal was once again allowing students and parents to access exam results. The Ministry said it will continue investigating the cause of the outage to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
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