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A recent federal report on public education finance highlights potential financial challenges for U.S. schools with the looming expiration of federal COVID-relief aid. During the 2021-22 school year, schools experienced unprecedented funding variations, with states like Utah spending approximately $9,500 per student while New York spent over $29,000. Notably, federal funding surged during the pandemic, comprising 13.7% of total educational funding, significantly higher than the typical 8-10%. This infusion helped schools navigate the pandemic's challenges but is set to expire soon, causing many districts to consider cuts such as teacher layoffs and school closures. The report also noted a 2.6% decrease in state funding and a 2% drop in local revenues when adjusted for inflation. Schools have rapidly utilized the Emergency Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, with billions spent on immediate pandemic needs. However, as these funds dry up by September 30, with the possibility of extensions, districts face rising costs, especially in food and transportation services, which saw increases of 21.3% and 14.5% respectively. Salaries and benefits remain the largest expenses, consuming $595bn of the $767bn total spent on K-12 education. Instructional expenses accounted for nearly 60% of spending, emphasizing the high cost of maintaining educational staffing and quality amid financial constraints. As federal aid diminishes, schools must navigate these fiscal challenges without compromising educational quality.

 

Education Week News

State laws that permit teachers to carry guns in schools have been deemed "dangerous" by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, who added they could lead to accidents and tragedy. He expressed his concerns during an interview at the EdWeek Leadership Symposium. While some argue that arming teachers is necessary to address active shooter situations, Cardona questioned the effectiveness and safety of this approach. He raised concerns about the potential for a less safe school environment if armed teachers are absent, as well as the possibility of parents lobbying for or against armed teachers. The interview also saw Cardona emphasize the need for states to increase funding for schools as federal aid diminishes. He urged states to invest more in K-12 education to ensure a smooth transition and avoid resource shortages. Cardona said that, in the future, he aims to strengthen privacy laws to protect students from harm on the internet.

 

Education Week News

Governor Ron DeSantis plans to reactivate an executive order waiving certain university application requirements for Jewish transfer students. He will also approve almost $600m towards school safety initiatives and over $300m in new construction and research projects at the University of Florida. The executive order was initially issued in response to a spike in antisemitic acts following a terrorist attack. DeSantis aims to ensure that these students have access to higher education. Additionally, he will allocate $20m to enhance safety measures at Jewish Day Schools and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. K-12 student safety will receive nearly $570m in funding, which will be used for measures such as school hardening, police dog presence, mental health awareness and school guardian programs. Furthermore, DeSantis will approve $75m for a new graduate campus at the University of Florida in Jacksonville and $80m for the continued construction of the Florida Semiconductor Institute.

 

The Floridian

Hillsborough County educators are seeking more than $80m in pay raises and contract changes for the upcoming school year. In negotiations with school district representatives, the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association put forward a revised salary schedule. It proposed a starting salary of $48,000 for teachers, increasing to $52,500 by the eighth year. Currently capped at $72,490, teachers could earn up to $75,940 after 25 years under the union's proposal, representing an average pay increase of 6%. The requested pay raises and contract adjustments for teachers, along with benefits, total nearly $50m. Additionally, there are requests for support employees covered by the union and social service specialists. Negotiations commenced earlier than usual, aiming to reach an agreement before the next school year starts, although uncertainties remain about the budget. Projected declines in traditional student enrollment and increased state funding for private school tuition and charter schools present financial challenges.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Pinellas County families will soon have a new option for their children's education as Walsingham and Southern Oak elementary schools are set to merge into a K-8 campus in 2025. The district plans to keep the schools' attendance zones for kindergarten through fifth grade, allowing families to choose whether their children will continue there for middle grades or switch to their zoned middle schools. The new K-8 school will begin with sixth grade in its first year and gradually add seventh and eighth grades. The campus is expected to house about 1,500 students when fully operational. The change will also involve relocating the dual-language immersion program offered at Walsingham to Bardmoor Elementary. School board members have expressed support for the merger and are pleased with the concept and location. The new school will offer a traditional middle school curriculum with many electives and enrichment opportunities.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Hollywood city officials are urging Broward County Public Schools to reconsider the proposal to permanently close Oakridge Elementary School, which serves a predominantly Black neighborhood. The school board is considering closing several schools due to declining enrollment, but Oakridge is not under-enrolled. Hollywood City Manager George Keller has requested a meeting with the school board to explore alternative solutions. Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy expressed concerns about the idea of converting the school into affordable housing. The Broward County School Board is expected to make a decision on school closures in June.

 

The Miami Herald

Orange County Public Schools is planning to add 15 new schools over the next 10 years to accommodate the expected increase in student enrollment. The district estimates that this expansion will require $8.9bn in funding. The chief financial officer emphasized the importance of the half-cent sales tax for the district's financial stability, given rising construction costs. However, even with this tax, there is still a $2.7bn shortfall. The district will hold a budget workshop to address the shortfall and finalize their budget adoption in September.

 

News 13

Students at Leon High School will now have the opportunity to jump-start a career as a firefighter through a new program launched in partnership with Tallahassee Community College and the Tallahassee Fire Department. The program aims to address the shortage of people entering the firefighting field and inspire local teens to pursue a career in public safety. Students will receive hands-on training and become certified volunteer firefighters, with the option to continue their education and become paid firefighters. The program is expected to help fill the need for firefighters in the Capital City.

 

Tallahassee News

Orange County Public Schools has launched the Exceptional Student Education Transition School, a program aimed at teaching job skills to students with unique abilities. The program helps students learn life skills before they age out and become disabled adults. The school partners with Rosen Shingle Creek to teach students about the hospitality industry. The program provides students with five days of hands-on experience at a business, with transportation provided. Many students find employment after graduating from the program.

 

News 13

The Lee County School District has received a $2m settlement from electronic cigarette company Juul, which it plans to use to combat vaping in schools. Ron Iarussi, spokesperson for Lee County Schools, expressed mixed feelings about the settlement, acknowledging the negative impact of vaping on students' attendance, grades and substance abuse issues. The district intends to install vape detectors in restrooms and implement educational programs on substance abuse. Additionally, resources will be provided to students battling addiction. Lee County is the sole district in Southwest Florida to receive settlement money from the Juul lawsuit.

 

WINK News

Drivers who pass a stopped school bus in Miami-Dade County will have higher chances of getting caught and fined $200. The Miami-Dade Police Department, in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and BusPatrol, has launched a new initiative that uses cameras and artificial intelligence on the buses to enforce the law. It is illegal to go around a stopped school bus that has flashing red lights and an extended stop-arm while picking up or dropping off students. BusPatrol installed the equipment on every public school bus in Miami-Dade, adding up to a total $10m. The district will split about half of the money collected from each fine with BusPatrol.

 

Local10

The Miami Herald

NBC Miami

The Hillsborough County School Board has approved the purchase of 20 electric school buses, thanks to a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Grant. The buses will serve specific inner-city routes to under-served communities, aligning with the grant's guidelines. Superintendent of Schools Van Ayres explained that the district will save over $4m with the switch to electric buses, which will also help lower the district's carbon footprint.

 

Tampa Bay Fl News