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Public school districts and special-education advocates across America are preparing for the financial impact of the $1tn in Medicaid cuts signed into law last month by President Donald Trump. The reductions, which will take effect next year, put services such as counseling and speech therapy at risk. “If the proposed changes move forward as written, most districts would start feeling the financial squeeze within next school year’s budget cycle,” said Lateefah S. Williams, a senior attorney at Maryland-based Shefter Law who focuses on special-education law. “That means families could see reductions in available services, longer wait times for evaluations, or staff layoffs when school starts back in the fall.” Asheville City Schools in North Carolina, which receives $400,000 in Medicaid reimbursements annually, says that around six teaching staff, eight instructional and behavioral support assistant positions, or four therapist roles could be reduced, should its federal reimbursements be cut. “Schools are very resourceful, but we're being stretched to the limit at the moment,” commented Heidi Kerns, the district's chief financial officer. “There's a limited amount of money. And if someone will not provide that difference for all those required services we have to provide, then we have to start cutting things that we can, or increasing class sizes so we can add fewer teachers in order to make ends meet."

 

Washington Post

Rocky Hanna, Superintendent of Leon County Schools, has said the district is considering taking legal action against Charter Schools USA over its handling of the closure of the Renaissance Academy charter school. Mr. Hanna said while the district had planned to collect unreturned furniture to distribute to other local schools, it was denied access.

 

News 13

Tallahassee News

A new risk assessment report from nonprofit group Common Sense Media warns that, while artificial intelligence (AI) teacher assessment tools such as Google Gemini and MagicSchool can increase productivity for educators, they also have the potential to cause harm in the classroom. An evaluation of the Khanmigo, MagicSchool, Curipod, and Gemini for Google Classroom tools found that they can act as “invisible influencers” in student learning and promise to create critical documents for special education students even though they lack essential data. Responding to teacher prompts, they can automatically create slide presentations that look professional but may include inappropriate material. The AI teacher assistants can also be “invisible influencers," presenting biased or inaccurate viewpoints that reinforce harmful stereotypes. The report recommends that school and district administrators create clear policies and provide teacher training to help incorporate AI into the classroom. Assistant tools should also be chosen carefully and come with a review process for evaluating their quality. 

 

The 74

As Broward County Public Schools prepare to start on Monday, over 800 bus drivers are practicing their routes. Conrad Brown, a driver with over 30 years of experience, expressed his passion, stating: “Love the kids, like the job.” The district emphasizes safety, with Dr. Simone Clowers, the transportation director, urging parents to educate their children about bus behavior, likening it to a “mobile classroom.” School board member Adam Cervera reassured that extensive training has been provided to ensure student safety. He highlighted the “Here Comes The Bus” app for parents to track their child's bus. Brown noted the importance of bus drivers in recognizing students' needs, saying, “It's more than driving a bus.” The district is actively seeking more drivers, offering $21 an hour plus benefits.

 

Local10

NBC Miami

A new school year in Lee County marks a fresh start as many teachers step into their classrooms for the first time. The district organized a special sendoff to support these educators, ensuring they feel prepared before students arrive. Sonja Wheeler, a third-grade teacher at Harnes Marsh Elementary, expressed her excitement and nerves, stating: "I'm excited, a little nervous... like the unknown things." With 16 years as a paraprofessional, she aims to teach her students kindness and compassion. Patricia Dessandos, a pre-K special education teacher, emphasized her dedication, saying, "I'm a mom. I care for this kid just like my kid." Emma Hubbard, a second-grade teacher, highlighted the benefits of smaller class sizes for student learning. These new teachers will officially begin their roles on Monday, with school leaders stressing the importance of support during this transition.

 

WINK News

The School Board of Duval County Public Schools has voted to endorse a change in Jacksonville's city charter allowing the board to hire its own general counsel, rather than relying on the Jacksonville Office of General Counsel for legal services. While two members voted against the change, board member Melody Bolduc, backing the move, commented: "Sixty-six out of 67 districts do this. I think we'll probably be OK."

 

The Florida Times-Union

The Monroe County School Board has tentatively approved a 7.3% property tax increase for the fiscal year 2025-2026, raising the total tax levy to over $174m from $162.1m. The new millage rate is set at 2.9470, equating to $294.70 for every $100,000 of taxable property value. Finance Director Charlene White mentioned that the district issued $23m in tax anticipation notes (TANs) last year, with a proposal for $21m this year to cover operating expenses. White anticipates a significant reduction in TAN requests in about two years. The district's recent improvements have led to an A rating from the state, with all eight schools showing growth in English/Language Arts. Deputy Superintendent Amber Acevedo highlighted that Coral Shores High School students excelled in advanced placement exams, with a 13.6% increase in participation. Students will return to classes on August 13.

 

Keys News

NBC Miami

As back-to-school season approaches, Miami-Dade County Public Schools is implementing technology to address an increase in vaping among students. Al Torossian, principal of Miami Beach High School, noted that many students are becoming addicted despite health warnings, stating, “There are even some that look like highlighters.” The school has installed sensors resembling smoke detectors in every restroom, which alert staff when vaping occurs, providing details such as the specific bathroom and time. These alerts also activate surveillance cameras outside restrooms to capture footage of students exiting. In contrast, Broward County Public Schools is currently evaluating vape detection solutions but has not yet implemented any.

 

Local10

WINK News

Osceola County has introduced a groundbreaking safety system for school buses, developed by Smart Radar System, a Korean company. The system features 17 sensors that detect students' vital signs and movements, ensuring no child is left behind. Chief executive Paul Kim said: “It detects the vital signs of the kids remotely.” The Florida Department of Education has approved the use of these sensors, which can also alert drivers if a child is too close to the bus or underneath it. Randy Wheeler, the district’s director of transportation, aims to equip more buses with this technology, emphasizing a phased approach for future installations. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance student safety, which includes improved visibility and early warning systems.

 

News 13

WPTV

The St. Johns River Water Management District has announced that it aims to award up to $60,000 through its Blue School Grant Program in the 2025/26 school year, with awards of up to $3,000 for teachers and schools to support hands-on, water-focused STEM projects for students from kindergarten up to 12th grade.

 

The Apopka Chief Newspaper

The Special Olympics Florida Unified Champion Schools program is making waves in school athletics, with nearly 600 schools participating. This initiative allows students with and without disabilities to engage in various varsity sports, fostering inclusivity and teamwork. Sherry Wheelock, president and chief executive of Special Olympics Florida, stated, "We have people with and without intellectual disabilities who are engaging in sports together." Athletes like Emeric Leon, who plays for the Unified Inter Miami soccer team, emphasize the importance of improving lives through sports. The program not only promotes participation but also allows unified athletes to compete in their own division at the FHSAA State Championships, showcasing their unique talents and abilities.

 

WPTV

Long wait times for U.S. visa interviews are causing many international students to abandon their plans to study in the U.S. and seek opportunities elsewhere. According to NAFSA, new international enrollment in the U.S. could drop by 30% to 40% this fall, resulting in a potential loss of $7bn for the U.S. economy. As a result, universities in Hong Kong and the U.K. are experiencing a surge in transfer inquiries and applications. Mike Henniger, chief executive of Illume Student Advisory Services, said: “The American brand has taken a massive hit, and the U.K. is the one that is benefiting.” Countries like the United Arab Emirates are also attracting students with branch campuses, as many fear being denied access to the U.S. due to political turbulence and visa difficulties.

 

The Oregonian

Stanford University's student-run newspaper, The Stanford Daily, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging its use of federal immigration law to target pro-Palestinian activists. The lawsuit argues that this approach has infringed upon students' First Amendment rights, leading to self-censorship among international students. According to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, “Since the Trump administration began targeting lawfully present noncitizens for deportation based on protected speech in March 2025, lawfully present noncitizen students... have self-censored expression for fear of visa revocation.” The case highlights two provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act that allow the Secretary of State to deport noncitizens based on their views. The plaintiffs seek to prevent the administration from using these provisions against them and other noncitizen staff members of the newspaper.

 

CNN Edition

China has announced that it will eliminate tuition fees for children in their final year at public kindergartens and reduce fees for qualifying private institutions starting from the next term. The initiative is part of the government's guidelines released by the State Council, which aim to gradually implement free pre-school education.

 

U.S. News