You are receiving this email newsletter because you are a subscriber of Education Slice (formerly Principal News) or you signed up for our email newsletter on our site.

The modern parental rights movement, which originated from opposition to pandemic precautions in schools, is now focused on complaints about classroom instruction on identity, race, and history, NBC Miami reports. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has endorsed 23 school board candidates across 14 counties, aiming to counter what he calls "woke" ideology in public schools. The movement has become a key political issue, with both parties vying for the support of suburban parents. However, some candidates, like Katie Blaxberg, have faced online harassment and threats due to their differing views on the parents' rights movement. It's noted that Pinellas County's school board races have attracted attention from various political figures, including Florida Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna. Critics argue that the focus on ideological battles has distracted from the goal of improving student achievement. The movement has also led to the removal of superintendents in some districts. Liberal advocacy groups have emerged to counter conservative candidates, and the Florida Democratic Party has put forward its own slate of school board candidates.

 

NBC Miami

Pinellas County School Board member Eileen Long has filed a complaint with the Florida Elections Commission, alleging that campaign ads endorsing her challenger, Erika Picard, violate state law. The law states that candidates cannot be identified by their party in non-partisan races. Long attached a mailer that calls Picard a "Republican School Board candidate," which features a photograph of Picard with Gov. Ron DeSantis. The mailer was paid for by Empower Parents Florida, a PAC chaired by Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Renner. Long expressed her disappointment in what she said was the disregard for the nonpartisan nature of school board races. Picard has denied approving anything that identifies her as a Republican and believes the complaint is a political move. Republican leaders, including Gov. DeSantis, have been actively supporting conservative candidates in school board races. The primary elections will determine the winners of the nonpartisan races. Gov. DeSantis has endorsed candidates in several races, including Layla Collins in Hillsborough and Danielle Marolf in Pinellas.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Feeling the Impact of Teacher Shortages?

Teacher shortages are impacting students’ learning continuity across the nation, and we’re here to help. To ensure students don’t miss a beat, we offer teacher shortage solutions to support your school, including:

• Certified teachers in subjects like AP®, world languages, mathematics, and more
• Comprehensive PreK–12 online school - including courses, online platforms, and teachers
• Ongoing support and training for your staff, teachers, and students

Download CTE Guide

 

As students return to colleges across the U.S., universities are implementing new rules to limit protests against the war in Gaza. Some of these rules include banning encampments, limiting the duration of demonstrations, and allowing protests only in designated spaces. Critics argue that these measures curtail free speech, while universities claim they are updating existing rules to protect campus safety. The American Association of University Professors has condemned the "overly restrictive policies" that discourage free expression. Many universities now require protesters to register in advance and strictly limit the locations and use of amplified sound and signage. Despite these restrictions, student activists vow to continue their activism. The Columbia University president recently resigned after facing scrutiny for her handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus. Other universities, such as the University of Pennsylvania and Indiana University, have also outlined new guidelines for student protests. The tension on college campuses has been high since the conflict in Gaza, and many students have faced disciplinary actions for their involvement in protests.

 

NBC Miami

A shortage of devices in Volusia County Schools has caused a delay in computer distribution for high school seniors. The district had to send 11,100 student devices for repair, leaving them 4,000 short for the start of the school year. Seniors will have to wait until early September to receive a computer. The district anticipates all 12th grade students to be able to check out a computer by September 10. The shortage was caused by the vendor overpromising its repair capacity and the large quantity of devices turned in for repair. Seniors with special accommodations and dual-enrolled students are exempt from the rationing. The district's vendor is repairing 1,000 devices per week. Negotiations with another vendor for new devices are underway, and some schools will receive replacements to help with the shortage. The district is transitioning to a five-year rotating replacement of student devices.

 

Ormond Beach Observer

The Orange County School Board race in Florida is gaining attention due to its fundraising and national political implications. Jenny Grieger and Stephanie Vanos are competing for the District 6 seat: both candidates have different ideologies, with Grieger focusing on improving literacy rates and supporting teachers, while Vanos aims to enhance reading skills, create internships, and promote STEM programs along with arts and music education. Vanos has received endorsements from various Democratic figures, while Grieger is more conservative. The race has also seen discussions on issues like mask requirements and book censorship. The candidates' clash is indicative of the broader debates surrounding school boards in Florida.

 

Florida Politics

Both Scott Hebert and Jason Koon, longtime Citrus County educators, are competing for the position of Superintendent. Sandra “Sam” Himmel, the current Superintendent, announced her retirement and has said she fully supports Hebert as her successor. However, Koon, the principal of Lecanto High School, is also running for the position. Both candidates have extensive experience in education and have been neck-and-neck in fundraising. Hebert, a former Florida Teacher of the Year, has served in various roles in the school district, while Koon has focused on school-level positions. The winner of the Republican Primary will be decided on Tuesday.

 

Florida Politics

Gadsden County School District has secured over $70m from the state to build a new school in the Quincy neighborhood. The new school will merge multiple Gadsden County schools into one, replacing aging and dilapidated structures. The project aims to provide a safer and more innovative learning environment for students, with state-of-the-art classrooms, STEM educational spaces, and well-equipped libraries. Superintendent Elijah Key emphasized the commitment of multiple leaders to providing the best educational opportunities for students. The new school is set to be completed by August 2027. This development has been met with excitement from students and teachers alike, who are looking forward to the improved facilities and resources.

 

Tallahassee News

An 11-year-old boy has been extradited from Virginia to Florida to face charges for making 21 threatening calls to Flagler County Schools. The boy admitted to making the calls, which targeted Buddy Taylor Middle School in Palm Coast. The extradition cost $800, and the Flagler County Sheriff's Office is responsible for handling the process. The boy is expected to be admitted to the Juvenile Detention Center in Volusia County.

 

Daytona Beach News Journal

Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) is implementing a new school zone speeding program that uses speed detection cameras installed by RedSpeed Florida. Violators will receive a $100 fine, which will be split among the city, the vendor, and the school district. The program aims to improve public safety and reduce speeding violations. The program will eventually expand to include private and charter schools. The initiative comes after a study revealed over 47,000 violations in one day across various school zones.

 

Tallahassee.com

The University of Florida has denied the appeal of Keely Gliwa, a graduate student who was suspended for three years following pro-Palestinian protests. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) argues that the university's response violates the First Amendment. Gliwa was charged for failing to disperse during the protest, but video evidence and witness testimony support her claim that she stayed behind to help another student in distress. The university overruled a recommendation of probation and imposed a harsher punishment. Gliwa vowed to continue fighting for herself and other students. The appeal denial reflects the strict actions taken by Gov. Ron DeSantis and state higher education officials against pro-Palestinian protesters.

 

Florida Today

The assistant principal of Pensacola High School, Sean Roby, has been arrested for an alleged sex offense involving a teenager. He was charged with video voyeurism of a person younger than 19. The details of the alleged offense were not immediately available. Escambia County Public Schools confirmed the arrest and stated that it is fully cooperating with law enforcement. Roby is currently suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

 

Pensacola News Journal

The Tampa Bay area is offering a free after-school program for students. The program is available for more than 300 students and is being offered at 24 recreation and community centers across Tampa. Over 1,200 children ages 5-12 have already registered. The program provides homework assistance, computer labs with Wi-Fi access, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor activities, and sports. Some centers also have programming for teens ages 13-17. The goal of the program is for youth to grow physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually in a fun, safe, and healthy environment. "The After School Program is a fantastic free resource for all families," said Parks and Recreation Manager Regina McBride Smith.

 

Tampa Bay Fl News

Before the pandemic, Orange County, Fla. had 70,000 students riding 800 buses to school. However, due to a shortage of bus drivers, the number of students riding the bus has dropped to 53,000 on 500 buses. This shortage is not unique to Orange County, as many districts across America are struggling to fill open bus driver positions. The consequences of this shortage include longer wait times for students, fewer options for families, and increased headaches for administrators. Chronic absenteeism has also been linked to bus driver shortages. Districts are trying to find solutions, such as hiring contractors and making adjustments to operations. Some districts have been successful in addressing the shortage, while others continue to face challenges. Buses in Orange County now make two trips to each school building every morning and afternoon, with the same driver transporting two busloads of students, meaning that some staffers have to arrive at work earlier to greet students when they arrive or leave work later to wait for the last ones to leave. “It's not ideal, this current situation,” said Bill Wen, the district's senior director of transportation services. “But it's what we have until we're able to figure out that magic wand for everyone to get enough drivers.”

 

Education Week News