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Florida
20th February 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Florida joins property tax push

State lawmakers, including in Florida, are debating property-tax reforms that could shrink K-12 revenue, since property taxes supply more than a third of U.S. school funding. The push is driven by post-pandemic bill increases and GOP efforts to curb government spending, though outright repeal often fails with voters; Wyoming lawmakers recently killed an elimination proposal. The text outlines four strategies: replacing property taxes with sales or income taxes, seeking constitutional amendments, creating local veto mechanisms, and expanding caps or exemptions. Experts warn replacement taxes may fall short, forcing districts into cuts or heavier reliance on state aid.

STATE NEWS

Florida tops nation in workforce education

In a significant achievement, Florida has been recognized as the number one state in the nation for workforce education, fulfilling Governor Ron DeSantis' Executive Order 19-31 five years ahead of the 2030 goal. Gov. Ronr DeSantis stated: "Florida has built an education system that delivers outcomes, opens doors to high-wage careers, and strengthens our state's long-term prosperity." This accomplishment is attributed to over $12bn in investments in career and technical education, which aims to prepare students for in-demand jobs. Anastasios Kamoutsas, Commissioner of Education, noted that this success reflects the strategic investment in expanding workforce pathways for students, reinforcing Florida's commitment to economic growth and educational excellence.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Social media giants face courtroom reckoning

Social media companies, including Meta and TikTok, are facing trials across the U.S. over allegations that their platforms harm children's mental health. The lawsuits, initiated by school districts, families, and government entities, argue that these companies deliberately design addictive features and fail to protect young users from harmful content. Matthew Bergman of the Social Media Victims Law Center said: “This is a monumental inflection point in social media,” highlighting the significance of these cases. The outcomes could challenge existing legal protections for tech companies and lead to substantial changes in their operations. As the trials unfold, experts draw parallels to past cases against the tobacco and opioid industries, emphasizing the potential for significant legal and financial repercussions for the defendants.

WORKFORCE

New training tools for superintendents unveiled

Superintendents are increasingly confronted with political challenges that are often overlooked in their training. Jennifer Perry Cheatham, a former superintendent and now a senior lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, emphasized: "This is not something you want to learn on the job." To address this gap, new resources, including case studies and simulations, have been introduced. The Initiative on Superintendent as Civic Leader aims to support superintendents and enhance preparation programs nationwide. The simulations, which can be conducted online or in-person, allow superintendents to engage in discussions about hypothetical crises, helping them navigate complex issues such as school closures and teacher recruitment. As Cheatham noted, "The role of the superintendent has changed," highlighting the importance of civic leadership in education.

DISTRICTS

Lee County to discipline students over ICE walkouts

In Lee County disciplinary reviews are ongoing following a significant student walkout protesting federal immigration enforcement. Approximately 3,400 students participated across 15 campuses, with district leaders stating that consequences will be enforced for violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Superintendent Denise Carlin noted that "any behavior that compromises the safety of our campuses... will be treated with the utmost seriousness." Advocacy groups argue that the punishments are excessive, with some students facing two-week suspensions and additional time in the Alternative Learning Center.

Alachua County schools face closures

Alachua County Public Schools is moving forward with plans that may lead to the closure of several schools next year. The district has released three proposed boundary maps for elementary, middle, and high schools, which the Alachua County School Board will vote on March 12. Families can utilize the district's online map tool to determine potential new school assignments. The proposed changes include closures of schools like Duval Early Learning Academy and Foster Elementary, along with the conversion of others into K-8 institutions. "Students zoned for Foster would be rezoned for Metcalfe, Norton, and Rawlings elementaries," indicating significant shifts in school assignments for many families.

Pinellas county sports fees introduced

Students in Pinellas County Schools will soon incur a $50 fee per sport for middle and high school athletics, starting in the 2026–27 school year. District leaders believe the initiative will "strengthen programs and expand opportunities for students." A family cap of $200 will ensure that no family pays more than this amount, regardless of the number of sports their children participate in.

GOVERNANCE

New contender enters school board race

Daniela Simic, a former assistant superintendent for curriculum, has announced her candidacy for the Hillsborough County school board District 2 seat, currently held by Stacy Hahn, who is running for county commission. Simic, who has extensive experience in education, including creating the Miami Dade school district's Education Transformation Office, aims to address safety, budget oversight, and learning gaps if elected. With three school board seats up for election in November, Simic is currently the only candidate in District 2.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Charlotte County expands CTE pathways

February marks Career and Technical Education Month, highlighting programs in Southwest Florida that prepare students for college or immediate employment. In Charlotte County, a new advanced manufacturing program is gaining traction. Ramiya Pickett, a senior at Port Charlotte High School, expressed her excitement, saying: "I noticed all the robots, and I said, 'Yeah, this is the place for me.'" David Reagle, the program's teacher, emphasized the importance of such programs, saying: "The kids that you saw in here today, those are the hands that are going to rebuild America." The program offers students hands-on experience with professional equipment, preparing them for skilled jobs or further education. In addition to manufacturing, Charlotte County Public Schools is introducing new CTE programs in aquaculture, entrepreneurship, and cybersecurity.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Schools under pressure to reconsider Flock surveillance ties

Amazon-owned Ring has ended a planned partnership with surveillance company Flock Safety following public backlash over a Super Bowl ad promoting neighborhood-wide camera networks. Privacy advocates say schools should follow suit, as many districts use Flock’s automated license plate readers, which have been accessed by law enforcement agencies to assist federal immigration enforcement. Audit logs from Texas districts showed out-of-state agencies conducting searches tied to immigration cases, raising concerns about student and family privacy. Flock says schools can disable immigration-related searches using a filter tool, and maintains its cameras are primarily used for campus safety, such as monitoring banned individuals or investigating crimes in school parking lots. However, critics argue the broad sharing of surveillance data creates serious privacy risks and may deter families from attending school events or even sending children to school. More than 100 school districts use Flock cameras, though few have publicly addressed how their data are shared.

Parkland tragedy sparks national movement

The tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine's Day eight years ago, where 17 were killed and 17 injured, ignited a powerful movement for gun reform. Survivors, including Cameron Kasky and David Hogg, mobilized their peers, stating: "Our message is very simple: 'Never again.'" They successfully lobbied for significant changes, including raising the minimum age to purchase firearms and implementing a "red flag" law. However, Kasky noted that the current political climate makes similar activism more challenging, saying: "The world was a completely different place." Despite setbacks, the Parkland students' efforts led to increased youth voter turnout and the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, demonstrating the impact of their activism.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Clean school bus funding paused as EPA seeks input on gas, hydrogen and biofuels

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to revamp its Clean School Bus Program, expanding the range of eligible fuel and technology options beyond primarily electric buses. The agency has launched a 45-day public comment period through a Request for Information to gather feedback from manufacturers, school districts, and fleet operators on the cost, availability, and performance of alternative technologies. The updated program is expected to place greater emphasis on biofuels, compressed and liquefied natural gas, and hydrogen-powered vehicles. As part of the transition, the EPA confirmed it will cancel the 2024 rebate funding round, encouraging applicants to instead apply for the 2026 grant cycle. A formal funding notice outlining eligibility criteria is expected soon. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the overhaul aims to improve fiscal responsibility and provide school districts with more flexibility to meet transportation needs. The Clean School Bus Program was originally created to replace older, high-emission buses with cleaner models to improve air quality and protect student health. 

HIGHER EDUCATION

FSU achieves record student retention rate

Florida State University (FSU) has achieved a first-year student retention rate of 99.2% for the 2025-2026 academic year, with 6,374 out of 6,425 students remaining enrolled from fall to spring. This achievement follows FSU's recent ranking as the No. 1 university in Florida for innovation and economic impact by TIME. 

Florida Tech faces military tuition ban

The U.S. Department of War has identified Florida Tech as one of 34 "moderate to high risk" schools, potentially barring military personnel from using federal tuition assistance there. The memo, which surfaced on February 14, is part of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's initiative against institutions he claims are biased against the military.

INTERNATIONAL

Maternity pay for teachers in England to rise from 2027-28

Maternity pay for teachers in England will increase for the first time in 25 years under reforms set to take effect in the 2027-28 academic year. The government will raise full-pay maternity leave from four weeks to eight, followed by 10 weeks at half pay and 21 weeks at statutory maternity pay. The changes, to be outlined in the forthcoming schools white paper, aim to improve staff retention, particularly among women aged 30 to 39, who make up the largest group leaving the profession. Nearly 10% of qualified teachers left state schools in 2023-24, and only 68% remain five years after qualifying. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the reform addresses long-standing stagnation in maternity pay and will support more women returning to teaching. Unions welcomed the move but noted that teachers’ maternity packages still fall short of those offered to civil servants. The white paper will also include proposed reforms to special educational needs provision, including reassessments at the transition from primary to secondary school, and tighter eligibility criteria for full support.
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