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The recent passage of House Bill 1119 in Florida has ignited a heated debate over book bans in public schools. The bill, which passed with an 84-28 vote, aims to eliminate books deemed harmful to minors, disregarding their literary or artistic value. Critics, including Rep. Rita Harris, argue that this legislation could lead to the removal of significant works, including classics like "Beloved" by Toni Morrison. Harris warned that the bill could further exacerbate the ongoing trend of book censorship in Florida, where many titles have already been restricted. Democratic House Leader Rep. Fentrice Driskell expressed concerns that the bill may disproportionately affect books about race, culture, and LGBTQ+ themes. As the debate continues, advocates for book freedom are alarmed by the potential implications of this legislation.

 

Florida Politics

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A new survey by the Association of School Business Officials International and the Title IV-A Coalition shows that school districts across 43 states across the nation rely heavily on federal Title IV-A grants to fund STEM programmes, mental health services, and classroom technology. Among more than 1,000 finance and operations leaders surveyed during the 2024-2025 school year, 56% used funds to expand STEM and computer science, 36% prioritized school-based mental health services, and 29% invested in blended learning and computer-based assessments. Some 78% cited the program’s spending flexibility as its most valuable feature, allowing districts to address gaps not covered by state or local budgets. While Congress allocated $1.38bn for fiscal year 2026, 61% of respondents said funding levels remain insufficient, prompting calls for increased support in the 2027 federal budget to meet rising student and district needs. “Title IV-A’s flexible structure recognizes that one-size-fits-all approaches don’t always work in education," commented James Rowan, CAE, SFO, CEO/Executive Director of ASBO International. "It empowers education leaders, especially in rural, underserved areas, to strategically invest funds to meet their students’ unique needs, whether by enhancing educational offerings, improving school environments, or expanding student access to digital skills and tools to help them succeed.”

 

ASBO International

According to a report by Just Equations, Georgia, California, Tennessee, Utah, and Oregon have better aligned high school and college math, increasing participation and reducing remedial placement that disproportionately affects low-income students and students of color. COVID-era gaps sharpened urgency, including UC San Diego’s jump from 32 to more than 900 students needing catch-up math in fall 2025. “This report highlights states that are doing the work,” said Shakiyya Bland, director of educational partnerships. Strategies include co-designed courses, clearer college expectations, transition courses, dual enrollment, and recognition of new pathways.

 

The 74 (Online)

The Leon Classroom Teachers Association is set to vote on a district proposal offering a one-time 1% salary bonus for teachers, with a decision expected next week. The Leon County School District presented this offer during negotiations, which also includes a $1m allocation from the State for salary increases. Scott Mazur, President of the Leon Classroom Teachers Association, expressed gratitude for the district's efforts but raised concerns about the non-recurring nature of the increase, stating: "It's a band-aid on something that needs a little bit more or a lot." Superintendent Rocky Hanna remains optimistic about the union's acceptance of the offer, emphasizing the need to focus on future initiatives for teacher salary increases.

 

Tallahassee.com

Tallahassee News

Alachua County Public Schools has set a 94% attendance goal to combat chronic absenteeism, which has surged post-COVID-19. Howard Bishop Middle School (HBMS) achieved a 92% attendance rate during the 2024–25 school year, thanks to initiatives like Freestyle Friday and the Student of the Month program. Tiffany Martin, regional executive director of Children's Home Society of Florida, said: "These are incentives that support school attendance, but they also support building the whole child." HBMS, a community partnership school, collaborates with various organizations to provide essential services to students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. The school also offers a food pantry, clothing closet, and health services to meet the diverse needs of its students and families.

 

The Gainesville Sun

Alachua County Public Schools is exploring rezoning options that may lead to the closure of Alachua Elementary School, impacting student assignments across Alachua, High Springs, and Newberry. The proposed changes, outlined in the “Our Schools – Future Ready” planning presentation, include expanding Irby Elementary to serve PreK through grade 5 and converting Mebane Middle School into a K-8 campus. The district aims to address enrollment trends and optimize facilities, with 768 open seats available in the Alachua area. 

 

Alachua County Today

The Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office has initiated its annual high school voter education program, aimed at informing students about the voting process and promoting civic engagement. Kicking off in January with a visit to Hawthorne High School, the initiative will see staff members visiting various public high schools to explain election mechanics and facilitate voter registration. This outreach has been a staple since 1993, with Florida law allowing residents to pre-register at age 16.

 

Alachua County Today

Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) has faced a setback, with Chase Properties terminating its purchase agreement for the district's headquarters on the Downtown Southbank. Chase cited a "substantial Community Development District (CDD) encumbrance" that was not disclosed during negotiations as the reason for pulling out. Consequently, DCPS canceled its related purchase of an office building in Baymeadows, which was intended to be its new headquarters.

 

The Florida Times-Union

Jax Daily Record

The Broward School Board has decided to allocate approximately $270,000 to resolve a lawsuit regarding a canceled office lease, which has become emblematic of extravagant spending. The total cost of the lease with the nonprofit group Handy, including prior rental payments, is projected to reach $545,000, despite district staff never occupying the premises.

 

Sun Sentinel

A measles outbreak at Ave Maria University has raised significant concerns as vaccination rates decline. Dr. Meghan Martin, a pediatric emergency room physician, reported 54 cases among approximately 1,300 students, with five currently quarantined. "As the measles vaccination rate continues to plummet we are going to continue to see increase in measles cases," Martin said. The outbreak appears confined to the campus, with no signs of panic in the local community, largely due to vaccination. The CDC reported 733 measles cases in the U.S. this year, with a notable drop in vaccination rates from 95% in 2019 to 92% in 2023, below the herd immunity threshold.

 

News-Press.com

Pensacola News Journal

A new student-run food pantry has opened at Buchholz High School, marking a significant initiative to combat food insecurity among students and their families. Funded by the Mach Charitable Trust, the pantry is operated by students in the school's DECA club and is part of the Entrepreneurship Academy. The pantry, which is open every Monday, provides shelf-stable proteins and produce without questions asked. The Mach Charitable Trust has committed to funding the pantry's inventory for the next four years, ensuring its sustainability.

 

Alachua County Today

The recent fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk has ignited discussions on how universities handle controversial speakers and free speech. A Florida bill, known as HB 725, aims to regulate political activities on public university campuses, including voter registration and candidate forums. Critics argue that the legislation could unintentionally limit free expression, with Rep. Marie Woodson stating: "I think this bill would not provide free speech for the students." The bill's sponsor, Peggy Gossett-Seidman, insists it promotes awareness of existing free speech laws, claiming: "To alter it and make it seem like we're prohibiting speech and assembly is completely the opposite of this." As the bill progresses, concerns about its implications for student expression continue to grow.

 

The Gainesville Sun

The Alberta government will allocate C$143m ($105m) to create 476 “complexity teams” in elementary schools across the province, aiming to help teachers manage growing academic and behavioral challenges in classrooms. Each team will include one teacher and two educational assistants, providing in-class support such as English-language learning, enrichment for gifted students and help with disruptive behavior, with the option to bring in additional specialists when needed. The funding follows new provincial data from more than 89,000 classrooms and forms part of a broader C$400m, three-year plan to address class size and complexity. All 61 school authorities will receive at least one team, with 143 assigned to Edmonton, 171 to Calgary and 162 elsewhere. While the government says the initiative supports early intervention and builds on plans to hire 3,000 teachers and 1,500 assistants, critics and the Alberta Teachers’ Association argue it reflects years of underfunding and are calling for further support, particularly for Grades 7 to 12.

 

Edmonton Journal

CBC News

The Globe and Mail

Education Secretary Linda McMahon will head the U.S. delegation to the closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Verona, Italy, on February 22, the White House has announced. She will be joined by U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino Tilman Fertitta, Small Business Administration chief Kelly Loeffler, senior Trump adviser Meredith O’Rourke and former Olympic ice hockey player Ryan Suter, among others. 

 

The Hill